My Gospel Story

FROM ROCK STREET TO A RENEWED HEART

Copyrighted @JoeyZorina

The HEART of rebellion.

When I was a young man in my teens and 20’s, I was very rebellious and stubborn as a donkey.  On the surface, I had the appearance of a “nice” person; but deep in my heart I was very proud.  I didn’t want anyone telling me what to do.  I never listened to wise counsel from others—except my feelings and my own opinions.  I was wise in my own eyes while fooling myself and I didn’t know it. 

When Grandma called for family prayer meetings, I would get angry or walk out.  I didn’t want to listen to her rebuke; because my idols of comfort and control were challenged.  I didn’t want to listen to the wisdom of Proverbs,

“He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing” (Proverbs 29: 1).  

On the surface my band was well known with Awards.  I had a rich band manager. I had what I’ve always wanted.  Yet, deep inside I was lonely, empty, sad, angry and dissatisfied—though my band was featured on Rock Street Journal—the only Indian rock magazine in the 90s (long before digital portals or social media platforms). 

The girls, the parties, the booze, the drugs—I had them all.  People with social status became my “friends” as long as I could do charity concert for their causes.  But nothing satisfied me until one day I broke down as I couldn’t live that way anymore.  I tried 3 rehabs; but nothing worked until a friend introduced me to a pastor at a small Bible school. 

the HEART OF redemption.

I remember the pastor’s email that said “one Word from God” could change my life forever.  He was right.  I went to meet him.  And for the first time, I heard about the love and cross of Christ (Galatians 2:20). It was not a mere understanding of the mind but a supernatural illumination of the heart from the Holy Spirit. 

I heard that Christ died to forgive my sins, not so that I can still live the way I want; but that my old self was crucified with Christ.  That if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation—the self-centered, self-righteous, ego-centric nature was crucified with Christ, and the new self had come (2 Cor. 5: 17).  I was finally free and made new by the Spirit from the inside! 

Though I have not arrived, I am no longer what I once was because of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1: 27).

I share this testimony because I want others to know that Jesus is real and transforms lives.  I used to live for myself but I was self-imprisoned on the path to hell. The life I had built for myself without God eventually came crashing down.  If we want a life without Christ and His church, He will give it to us in the end.  The most scary thing is that a holy God can actually give us what we’ve always wanted—a life without Him forever!  

THE HEART OF FREEDOM

But it doesn’t have to be that way because of His grace!  Jesus is my new Master now.  I am free to obey my new Master who has set me free to live for Him (John 8: 36). 

If you had met me in those days you would never think I would be a pastor.  I never thought Jesus would call me from Rock Street to Shibuya Street one day.  But Jesus knew and Jesus wanted me—yes even a dirty sinner like me (1 Tim. 1: 15)

True freedom is not freedom to live the way I want, but freedom to obey Jesus with others in the church.  This is my Gospel story.  At the center of this story is Jesus! And this story has not ended yet because Jesus is writing a story of redemption around the world! He is calling people from every nation to know Him and make Him known (Rev. 7: 9).

• Read Joey’s story also on “Why I Left India To Reach The Unreached in Japan” article at Radical blog.

My Gospel Story

By Tanatswa Makara

My journey as a follower of Christ began in a church-going house.

Every Sunday was church day and every New Year’s Eve was spent in worship and prayer. Mothers, aunts, uncles cousins, an entire family tree from various denominations, gathered under one roof to worship God. It was beautiful!

Then in high school, my heart was strangely moved after hearing a pastor preach. Though I struggle to remember the sermon itself, one thing was clear:

I was convicted of the sinful nature I never knew I had.

Growing up in a church-going family, I had always assumed I was Christian. I had been around people to whom reading the Bible daily was almost a routine, and so I told myself I "practically was one."

However, on that day I was made aware of the weight of my sin, regardless of my own works, and how much I needed a Savior. I gave my life to Jesus that day.

But my self-righteousness lingered.

I still felt I had to "do something” to be right with God. And that pride made me aimless. I hopped from church to church, telling myself I was seeking something that "suited" me. I was seeking something perfect—”a perfect church.” I nitpicked everything, pushing away the body of Christ, and by the end, I had convinced myself that perhaps I was called to be a lone wolf.

But in those moments God brought the famous words of Matthew 11: 29-30,

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

These words brought me to tears. I realized that all my anxiety, restlessness, need for perfectionism had been me wrestling with God's loving kindness, unable to fully believe the work that Jesus finished on the cross.

I didn't have to be perfect. I didn't have to earn righteousness, because it was never about me. It was God that loved me first and sent Jesus to die for my sins.

1 Peter 2: 9-10 says,

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

I repented from my pride and rested in the assurance of my salvation. Though this journey has often been a struggle, I am thankful to God for bringing me to The Bridge Fellowship where I have learned to marvel at Christ's work amongst His people.

My journey has become one of growing in awe and wonder, and I daily look forward to walking with Jesus for His glory.

Tanatswa Makara was recently received into membership at The Bridge Fellowship.