I grew up studying the principles of communism and had absolutely no regard for spiritual things. After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, I took a Bible class taught by a nun (it was a mandatory class, I should say). I was utterly fascinated by what I heard… The idea of the universe being spoken into existence by the uncreated God and then Him coming to dwell among us and dying on our behalf was astounding. God was wooing me – as I can say by looking back… Although I was aware of His existence and His goodness and faithfulness I was still ignorant of the fact that I was a sinner and needed a Savior. In those days I prayed about everything and believed with the faith of a child. I always began by offering thanks for all that God had done in my life and then went on to make supplication. Not a single prayer went unanswered.
When I was thirteen I began to drift away slowly embracing evolution and atheism. By the time I turned 17 (at which point I came to the U.S. with my family) for all practical purposes I was an atheist. I remember eating lunch at the school cafeteria when one of my buddies asked me if I believed in God. I answered, “I don’t know.” I continued in ignorance… My family went back to Ukraine and I stayed by enrolling in an undergraduate program at Auburn University Montgomery. My family’s friends offered me to stay at their home while I attended school and I gladly capitalized on the offer. While I was with them I attended a church where I was reminded of my childhood days. However, this time it was different… I was beginning to understand that I can come to God only through Jesus Christ – He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one can come to the Father except through Him. I observed the couple who taught my Sunday school and noticing how they related to each other I became hungry to know the God of whom they spoke. On January 1, 2000 I gave my life away to Jesus while I was at the lake with some friends. I said something to the effect, “God, I did not surrender my life to You because I had no idea what You may want to do with it. The thought of You messing up my life was unbearable. But now I have tasted Your goodness… Take my life… Mess it up if You wish – as long as I have You – I’m fine.”
Since then I’ve been growing in the knowledge of Christ.
“I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20)
