Carol Centered in Christ

Carol’s mother wanted to provide her daughter with a nice Christian background, so she took her to a local Catholic church. But when Carol’s mother went through a divorce, she was marginalized from that Christian community. Even so, Carol recalls, “I started reading the Bible when I was in grade school, but God was in the background of my life.” Without Christ as her focus, her life grew full of oppressive routines and worldly comfort.

As an adult, Carol worked hard to succeed, but admits, “My life was centered around me.” Bills would often take all of her earnings and if anything was left over it went to buying drugs. After Carol became pregnant, she began to struggle with extreme feelings of emptiness.

One day, two co-workers were talking about a Bible study. It reminded Carol of the comfort she used to find in God’s Word. So she decided to give church another try. Carol picked a Sunday to attend a local church. She took extra care in getting nicely dressed, but on her way out she tripped on the stairs and got her clothes dirty. So she went back to change, but then realized she would already be late.

The idea of walking in at an awkward moment on her first time back in church was too much to bear. She said, “I felt that this was a sign that God did not want me, but when I told my friend, she said, ‘The devil will do anything to keep you from hearing God’s Word.’ That sentence changed my life.” Carol began attending a Lutheran church full time for the next 25 years.

One day an Amazing Facts seminar advertisement caught her eye, so she attended and didn’t regret a single moment. Waves of new information poured over her as her Christian worldview finally began making sense. Carol recalled, “I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit and started worshiping on Saturdays.”

Amazing Facts evangelist Darrin Bartell provided a world of resources for exploring rich Bible concepts. “I learned more at the seminar than I had in 25 years at the Lutheran church,” she said. Today, Carol’s life is centered in Christ and she thirsts for Bible study and prayer. Nothing keeps her from the Word or from finding ways to share God’s love with others.

Reflect: Can you think of a time the devil tried to stop you from attending church or from quiet time with God? Don’t let him have the upper hand.

Key Bible Texts

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 KJV)