God’s Grace is greater than sin - Sheena Drummond’s testimony

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

er parents sent her to a private institution in Mandeville to get a 'good secondary education'. It was while at that institution that she established a relationship with God, but with the wrong influences and her own personal desires for instant gratification, she soon fell into worldly practices.

Twenty-three year-old Sheena Drummond grew up in a district called Knapdale in St Ann. Her parents were not baptised Christians, but they instilled in her Christian values and principles which involved going to church every Sunday. Happenings at home, according to her, were not always ones for her to emulate, but she never lacked the love and support of her parents.

"After GSAT, my dad decided to send me to a private school in Mandeville. At first ,I did not want to go because I knew the fees would be strenuous for my financially-challenged parents, but Dad, especially, insisted. It was here that I developed a personal relationship with God and would often hide away in a closet at home, praying and reading a Psalm."

LESSRULESTOFOLLOW

But though her spiritual mindset was strengthened at school, her new homes sometimes lacked proper parenting and were very permissive.

"I boarded with many different families in the parish. Most of the homes were permissive, but I did not complain much about it. I mean, why should I when I was allowed to go parties. I had the time of my life, or so I thought."

Though her lifestyle outside of school was unhealthy, Drummond did not forget the struggles of her parents: she remained focused and ensured she excelled in academics and all other aspects of school life. But her partying continued.

"I can remember vividly one week, Mrs Forbes, our chaplain, was the speaker for our School's Week of Prayers. The second day I joined the auditorium for worship as usual, not knowing that it would have been a life-changing experience. At the end of the sermon, the chaplain shared a testimony about her brother and how he died and for some reason. I felt she was speaking directly to me."

"I started doing introspection and the tears came streaming down my face. As soon as she made the altar call, I was the first to stand - there is just something about when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you. At that time, it was just me and God: I did not care what my friends or the other students thought, I just knew God was speaking to my heart."

At the end of the Week of Prayer, Drummond gave her heart to God. With the support of her parents, she moved from the house she was staying and welcomed invitations for various churches to share her story.

"This was my first time attending an SDA (Seventh Day Adventist) church. I was excited about the new friends I would meet and the new life ahead, but shortly lost that spark after observing how the young people in church were. I was soon back to my usual ways. I simply thought, having one foot in and the other out, would be sufficient."

"At age 16, I was living with a house filled with college girls while finishing high school. I never had enough of the house parties, pool parties, karaokes. But it got to a point where they were no more fun and my conscience could not allow me to enjoy those things anymore.

"First year in college was the same. In spite of all the sin I was committing, I still maintained a personal relationship with God. I knew He had a plan for me but I just could not understand what it was at the time."

Drummond who had openly participated in the worldly pleasures decided to openly make it right with God.

"When I got baptised the second time around, praying became more difficult, and the temptations heightened. I still made mistakes, I still broke promises, but this time, I was determined to overcome my weaknesses."

SHARINGOURSTORIES

"Many of us focus on the look, but the heart is impure; we lack love and kindness, we don't know what it means to be neighbourly; we are selfish, lovers of self and material possessions, and that I think is far more deceptive. We are all battling sin, and though we sin in various ways, none is greater than the other. Let us instead, help each other by sharing our testimonies to those struggling with the habits we have been delivered from and vice versa, let us build up each other rather than to tear down."

Having seen the hand of God work mightily in her life Drummond ended:

"When I look back at where I used to be - before Christ came and saved me, I cannot help but to sing praises to His name. I prayed myself out of bad relationships and friendships, and God heard my prayer. I am not a Christian because I was coerced by anyone but because I have experienced Him for myself. I know what it's like to be the life of the party, to be labelled as the hot girl, to struggle with low self-esteem, to like the wrong kind of right, and to not understand my value and worth. I overcame those because God said I could."

familyandreligion@gleanerjm.com