KIMBERLY COLLINS

My life testimony could take up volumes, so I will only write about now. This is my “Now Testimony.”

First, I must tell you, I am not an “athlete” like the other A-Team members. I am just a girl (howbeit, a 43-year old girl) who loves working out, loves a healthy lifestyle, and is a tomboy that wears lipstick. I grew up in an environment (both at home and socially) that did not encourage excellence. That I now strive for excellence in everything is in itself a blessing. In high school I really wanted to play basketball. The coach told me that I was too pretty to play on his team. It must have been the lipstick. There were many other instances similar to that one – always someone saying you must be out of your mind to think YOU can do that. I mostly ignored them and persevered anyway. But there was always that “you can’t” echoing in my mind. Then I met Coach A, who never said “you can’t.” He always said – YOU CAN. YOU SHOULD. YOU WILL. And I did. I actually made it over that wall. Who knew? Now, on to my testimony…

I just want to state up front that I love Jesus and I am truly, abundantly blessed in more ways than I have room to present here. I have always loved Jesus, but it has recently become something deeper, more intimate, more complete. In the past few years, there has been an awakening to certain things of God that I always knew but didn’t KNOW. Things I couldn’t see clearly. I have been a Christian for some time – about 24 years now. And I must say it has been quite a journey of learning, doing, falling (flat on my face), getting up, learning something new and on and on it goes. In the beginning, I viewed obedience as a lot of do’s and don’ts because, well, God said so (I was young). Somewhere along the way, I realized these do’s and don’ts were for very specific purposes – God is not arbitrary. These precepts were mostly designed to provide an abundant life for me. However, understanding this and seeing the fruit of it were far apart.

Now, at the ripe old age of 43, I finally see many things that God ordained in my life so long ago. I see specifically what all those things God directed me to do or not do were for. I see the fruit of the labor, the reward for the “obedience.”

This includes the seemingly insignificant things to the most obviously life threatening things. I have also learned that nothing is insignificant to God. A few examples which have recently popped out in my life include the simple act of taking care of my body, not taking drugs, eating healthy, not smoking, being kind to others, etc.

There were many times I looked around and saw other people doing all the things I knew in my spirit I should not partake in – things like partying, sleeping around, cheating, not working as diligently, not really being accountable for much of anything. These people were having fun and seemingly going “unpunished.” It was not that I envied these people, felt oppressed or left out of the fun – I have been blessed with NOT enjoying that lifestyle. But I did wonder why I had to be so diligent and not see any rewards, while others had great rewards and still lived a crazy lifestyle. [Don’t misunderstand, I did partake in my share of stupid activities and paid the price.]

Well, God’s timing is perfect. His will is perfect. Our patience may not always be so perfect or so patient. But if we can wait, it all becomes so crystal clear. I look around at these same people and what their lives are now –10, 15, 20 years later and they are a wreck. They need to put those orange cones around them to warn people that a bad accident has happened. The unaccountable lifestyle really has taken a toll on their health, their skin, their finances, their spirit, everything. All things work together for good…or bad depending on the path you choose.

I look at my life and realize that my perseverance has paid off as I see abundant blessings, abundant health, abundant life in every way. My response is abundant thanksgiving and gratefulness. I am truly blessed. I always knew that God was not arbitrary, and that his direction was purposeful, but now I see it. I see the fruit. I see the rewards. Just like working out and staying healthy pays off – staying on the path that God has ordained for your life has even greater rewards. It may not seem beneficial in the moment, but know “…that all things work together for good to those who love Him…”