During our sermon series entitled “Idols” we will be sharing real stories of real people who died to the “god of me” so they can truly live. In all of the stories we share throughout the series, we will see that they stopped worshipping the god of I so they can start worshipping the “I AM.” Here is Savanna’s powerful story.
“My name is Savanna. I grew up going to church every Sunday & Wednesday, church camp every summer; if it revolved around God- I was there. I got saved at the age of 10 one night after a nightmare. My mom talked me through salvation, and that night I accepted Christ into my heart. I was in fellowship with Him, felt joy and safe for about 7 years… until I did something that I just couldn’t accept He would forgive me for. So, I started running from God. This was all around the beginning of high school, and I eventually just stopped going to church. My life revolved around friends and living a life in the world- for myself. I lived this way for the past 10 or so years; alive but not really awake. Throughout this time, my parents prayed for me faithfully. God faithfully tried to get my attention time after time, but I would ignore him and turn to other things that would feed the “god of me.”
Last year on August 19th, He finally got my attention. I had yellow eyes at the young age of 25. My liver was failing, I was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, a rare disease that they are unsure of the cause. My liver levels were at 1600, normal is in the 20’s- drinking multiple times a week and eating pure junk will eventually do that to you. My heart sank to my stomach, as I processed the reality of my situation, I would need a liver transplant and die at a young age. They wanted me on steroids for the rest of my life. The first thing I did was turn to God, because isn’t that what we all do when we’re in trouble? I had been so far from God for so long how could He want me back after all these wasted years? The truth is, He never left me, I left him. He allowed this to happen to bring me back to Him. God promises He will finish the work he starts in us, which is why I know this happened for a reason. He saw the path I was headed down and knew He had to get my attention.
So many people prayed for me; my dad had sleepless nights crying out to God, my mom was my biggest supporter & believed God was going to heal me. She refused to take the medical path and researched until she found connections to people with answers. With God, the support of my parents, diet change, natural supplements, no drinking, and exercise; my levels are now at 22, one year later, with no medication at all. I feel incredible, having lost 75 lbs. and gaining a new outlook on this short life. I have so much joy now! I no longer live in a daze, not remembering my precious life. I was so blessed to have parents who raised me in a home where I knew Jesus at a young age, and I am so thankful that God brings His children back regardless of how far they have strayed.
No matter what you’ve done or how far you’ve wandered, He will always welcome you back with open arms. I have now found a home in Christ with real people who love Jesus, at Discover Church. It has already helped me grow so much in just a short period of time, and I can’t wait to see what God is going to do in my life through Discover Church!”
We are so expectant that God is going to work in the lives of many more, just like Savanna, during our Idols series. If you have a story to share, we would love to hear from you!
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