My name is Jarno, and this is my testimony

A whole bunch of bad stuff happened in 2013, and two years later, I felt so guilty about it (no hope) that I started thinking about taking my own life.

At some level I knew it was wrong, so I settled on buying a high-risk motorcycle thinking that I would maybe find some joy, or whatever. So I bought a motorcycle off Trade Me (Suzuki DRZ 400 SM), and it arrived about 2-3 weeks later.

On my very first ride I got myself into a situation that should have led to my death. I mis-shifted, I was distracted because of it, and when I looked up, all I could see was the hood of a car. I was going straight towards it. Then the next instant I see myself in a very sharp turn to the left which saved my life. I should have been dead.

When I came home, I collapsed on the floor overwhelmed by tears, and it was then that I felt God’s presence, and He said “Not so fast. I have a plan for you”.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
– Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)

I wasn’t doing so well still, so I checked myself into hospital (mental health). No one really knew I was there, so I was surprised when a nurse told me that I had a visitor. I had never heard the name she gave me before. My nurse brought me to a person I had never seen before.

My visitor then introduced herself, and I realized that she was a friend of a friend kind of thing. We spoke for an hour, and she came back the next day saying “I have a present for you”. She gave me a Life Application Study Bible which had a ton of footnotes, charts, etc. Then I asked her “Where did you get it from?”, and she said that someone had dropped it in her mailbox 20 years ago!! It had just been gathering dust waiting for me. Like wow!

I read the entire New Testament while I was in hospital.

When I came out of hospital I had a burning desire to get baptized, so I found a suitable church, and I ended up getting baptized in the sea. It was just the three of us, but it was an amazing day.

– Me, and Pastor Ben Reynolds

It was also at that point that I first considered myself to be a real Christian.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
– 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

God has forgiven me for what happened in 2013.

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
– Isaiah 43:25 (KJV)

God gave me something to look forward to.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
– 1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)

In some ways my testimony is very similar to that of Paul.

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
– 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (KJV)

In other words, if God can save me, He can certainly save you.

Talk to God. He won’t let you down.

Thank you Father!