The Word of God Transforms Us
By Kelly Alvarenga
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” - Psalm 119:105
How many Christians know this verse of the Bible by heart?
I believe that many of us know it. But perhaps the real question should be: How many of us make an effort to make this verse true in our lives? Many of us take for granted the precious gift that God left us to remind us of His promises, and to be a lamp that lights our path. I know that I did.
In the summer of 2010, a sister from our church asked me if I wanted to participate in Bible Quiz. I hesitated to respond, because, honestly, I did not want to spend my summer (vacation time) studying the Bible, and much less memorizing a book of the Bible. Finally, after a few minutes of internal struggle, I accepted the challenge and consented to participate in the competition. I did not imagine that the decision I had just made would be the way that God would change my perspective of life, and of what I desired for myself.
I grew up in a Christian home, and regularly attended church. I have had many precious encounters with God, mainly when I was a little girl. I knew what it was to be in God’s presence, and I longed to feel that fire of His Spirit burning within me again. I think that one reason why God still heard my prayers, despite my ways, was that in the depths of my heart, I still feared and longed for His presence in my life. As many young people these days, I was very discouraged because I had failed the Lord many times, and I did not believe that it was possible that He would still hear me. It is true that I longed for His presence, but I desired what the world offers even more. I was already in my third year of the university, studying medicine, because I had always dreamed to be a doctor. I longed to be my mom and family’s pride and joy. I knew that many people expected that I would become a doctor and I didn’t want to let them down.
When I began to memorize the Book of Malachi, I found that I was being impregnated by the Word of God, and I spent whole hours studying and spending time with Him. The more time that I gave, the more He opened my ear so that I was able to hear Him. For the first time I could feel that Psalm 119:105 was becoming a reality in my life. I could see how His Word lightened up the dark path that I was walking on. I could see that I was offering unto God that which was torn (Malachi 1:13). I felt like that verse applied to me:
“Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.”
I could relate to the priests of Israel, as far as what they offered to the Lord. I could see that I was running after my own desires, and not after what God wanted for me.
During those months, the Lord spoke to me as never before in the church services, and he began to confirm His Word through several vessels that he used to reach out to me. His great emphasis was in telling me to just trust in Him, and for me to surrender all to him. I know that, often, as youths, we fear what the future holds in store for us. Questions that go beyond our understanding distress us, and we try to answer them by elaborating a plan for our lives. My plan consisted of going to the university and becoming a successful doctor. When the Lord began to speak to me, I knew that I should not do my will, but His. It is hard to not know what the Lord has for us, but it is there where we need to trust in Him. If we trust that He will fulfill His purpose in our lives, we will find true peace in our hearts.
Once I understood this, many things changed in my life; among those, my priorities. I knew that doing God’s will was more important than fulfilling the desires of my heart. As it says in 1 John 2:15–17:
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
When we appear before His presence, we cannot take any of the titles that we have obtained, nor the riches that we have accumulated in this world; we will only take what we did for Him according to His will.
Thanks to the encouragement from the brothers in my church, and to God’s hand directing my life, I made the decision to attend Hebron Ministerial Institute, to seek a more intimate relationship with my Lord. Choosing His path is not always easy, and I have found many obstacles on that path; but I am sure that if I am in His will, everything else will be in the place that He desires.