Joshua Michael Petersen
Autobiography
6/4/2010
Life In Christ
(This is my Testimony and My Blessing)
Life In Christ-
Born into a Christian family with loving parents, I grew up understanding and learning through firm discipline the love of God. My parents lived their lives as Christians should showing me daily the value of life and the love Jesus gives so freely. By going to church on Sunday and Wednesday each week I was often around people who also lived for Jesus. The first time I came to the realization that I needed Jesus in my heart was through Children’s Church when I was eight. At that time we attended United Assembly of God and our Children’s Pastor was Bob Illes. Although I had accepted Jesus to come in and free me of my sin, I did not yet live for him. I had my ups and downs as I continued as a Christian through my earlier years. I was involved in Royal Rangers, Junior Bible Quiz, and later Teen Bible Quiz. Through those programs I learned that reading the Bible is good, but it is more important to understand what you read and the ability to apply it to your life. As I grew older I learned more about God, but I desired more.
The Desire Increases-
I did not choose to live for God until the summer of 2006. I went to camp not realizing I would be forever changed. I attended Junior High Summer Camp 2006 at FaHoLa in Grass Lake MI. During that week I decided it was time to live a life according to God’s will. I began to seek God more and more. I desired to dedicate my life to him completely. I asked God where he wants me, who he wants me to be, and what my calling is. I wanted so much know my purpose. At that time I went to a short term missions trip preparation program called Diverge. It was to help us ready ourselves before we left for Los Angles. I wanted to depart from the norm of the world. I learned God takes us out of the world, takes the world out of us, than puts us back into the world to show his love. At Diverge I discovered my calling to be a missionary. Germany is the ultimate place God wants me to be, but until I get there I know I my missions field is everywhere I am. As I proceeded to go to my first missions trip in Los Angeles God instilled a passion into my heart that I had not yet understood.
A little History-
When in High school I was involved in our Youth Group at our Church, Revival Outreach Center. ROC used to be located in North Ville and the Senior Pastor was Ken Hubbard. Pastor Hubbard was also the Senior Pastor back when I was young and the church was still known as United Assemblies of God located in Plymouth. The Church is in Plymouth again and now lead by Pastor McCarthy. It’s name was changed to Real Life by Pastor Shawn Henesy who was the Senior Pastor after Ken Hubbard and before MaCarthy. He resigned only a few weeks ago. My parents made the decision to leave the church before the name changed. We visited several churches before we found our place at Briton Assembly of God. The Senior Pastor being Brad Trask.
Youth Leadership-
Impact Student Ministry was the youth group at ROC, and the Youth Pastor at that time was Jeremy Gyorke. I was under Jeremy Gyorke as a student leader in ISM. I learned so much about leadership. The biggest thing that has stayed with me is what Pastor Jeremy said, ‘A good leader leads people to where they ought to be rather than where they want to be.’ Leadership has always been something that came to me rather easy. God has blessed me so much and if I did not have the relationship with God, I believe I would not be as outgoing, motivated, inspired or enthusiastic as I am today. Those are traits that have come to me only because of God. Through my time learning in ISM I strived to live a life that would bring me closer to my calling and to God.
Passion Grows -
Ever since I got back from my first missions trip I have had a strong passion to live for others. Through High School I started a Bible study and got involved in Campus Missions. Went through High school and struggled both physically, mentally and spiritually. Although I wanted to live for God I had not learned to fully rely on him. I ended up making it through 9th, 10th, and 11th grade. As I started my senior year I began to realize I would have to come back 2 years and take 12 classes just to complete 2 and a half credits I missed. I looked for a better way. GED was screaming in my ear. The day I left school was a well thought out decision. I had been sick through High school and missed often. I left to get my GED. God provided for me right a way. The day I signed out of South Lyon High School for the last time I went to get a job. I knew I was aiming to get my GED. Many people said that getting my GED would be really hard and I would have to study a lot. I was not worried because at that point I was really beginning to listen to God. I was finally trusting him. I got a job at Chili’s almost right after I applied. Everything was falling into place. I was being showered with information about my GED and had so much help with the study process.
The Mission-
It does not matter where God calls you. What matters is the willingness to serve, the absolute trust and dependence in God, and a deep desire to fulfill his calling. To be a missionary is to love on everyone within your path… it is to show God’s love in everything you do. A missionary lives and loves for others as Jesus did. You cannot do all things, but with God all things will be done. All will be provided according to your needs when living your life pleasing to God. Praise God in both the good and bad times! Be thankful for everything, take nothing for granted, and be aware of all the things God does for you, for through this way of thinking you will always be able to say “it is well”.
The Trial-
A few years ago I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. (a digestive track inflammatory chronic condition.) I learned I had this disease since 8th grade but did not know about it until the beginning of my Sophomore year of High School. Although it does not always take a toll on me, there are times that it strikes hard. The past 5 weeks of my life have been the worst time I have ever had due to the disease. Never in my whole life have I had more pain than now. Every time I was burdened with that awful pain, I prayed… I prayed to God to both hold my hand and to honor his calling to me. I prayed that he would help me through, for I know he has a purpose for my life. Even at this moment, this very day, I have struggled. I had a Colonoscopy just a few weeks ago and the Doctor said, "Your colon is by far the worst one I have ever seen in all my years of experience” This was hard to take in… for this I need prayer.
The Healing-
I believe in a God who is a healer, but I also believe in a God that knows far more than I. I also believe that God answers all prayer and he chooses to answer saying “no“, or “not at this time.” This I accept: if I live my whole life and have pain here and there due to this disease or any other malady that may enter my body, it does not matter. I will give thanks to God and live for him regardless of my condition. I am proud of my God. I want people to know how great, awesome and powerful is he. I am currently on medicine that is helping me greatly. God has not only blessed me with spiritual healing but also has provided me with what I need to stay healthy. Daily my physical strength increases and slowly my pain fades and loses it hold in me.
The Unending Joy-
I am at peace, and I am more happy now than I have ever been. A song that comes to mind helps me through pain, “I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin. The earliest part of the song hits home and the rest follows in suit.
Chris Tomlin sings, “There’s a peace I have come to know though my heart and flesh my fail, there’s an anchor for my soul. I can say, it is well. Jesus has overcome, and the grave is overwhelmed. The victory is won. He has risen from the dead. And I will rise when he calls my name, no more sorrow no more pain. I will rise on eagles wings. Before my God, fall on my knees and rise, I will rise.”
Dependence-
Through the struggles and pain of life I have learned that God desires us to depend on him in all things. God wants us to be completely and fully rely in him. He doe not just want us to go through our lives and only trust him when we need him in the bad situations but rather he wants us to seek him daily. The more I spend time with God in the word, prayer and worship the less I need. Great is God. Stronger is God. In all things I need God.
The Great Romance-
This is how I feel: I have not suffered nor shall I ever, for God has never left my side. The only time anyone will every truly suffer is if they die, and leave God’s presence for eternity because of their sin. Thankfully! God has given us the chance to be forgiven and set free of all sin therefore I can rejoice and be glad in every situation. At death I shall rise and be filled with true joy in abundance as I live in peace without pain for eternity with the love of God engulfing, surrounding and refilling my soul. Until I die I press on, pursuing, following, and striving to be where God wants me. Patience, the ability to endure; I find this in God alone. The ultimate romance lies in the consuming power of his Love.
All the praise, honor and glory be to God for the many blessings that keep me strong!
