The Host of the Party (Guest Post)

One of the best days to be at church is the day adult baptisms take place.  I will often reschedule my calendar or even go to another church to attend a baptism to be there for that day.  

Why?  

Because there is an enthusiasm that exudes from the person being baptized that I am inspired by.  

Because each story is another example of  how unique and intimate our relationship with Jesus can be.

Because it is one of the happiest days in the life of a believer and I'm honored to be there.

On Easter Sunday this year, our church celebrated the resurrection of Jesus with a few baptisms.  What better way to celebrate Easter?!

Jason was one of the people baptized.  His enthusiasm over the past year has been contagious throughout our whole church.  I've been lucky enough to watch his growth as we play on the worship team together.  

And the story of his joining the worship team is a story of sacrifice in itself.  He hadn't played drums since high school.  Like most families with young children, extra cash isn't something he is burdened with.  He sold his motorcycle so that he could buy some drums to be able to practice.  

Jason wants everyone to experience what he has come to experience.  He wants everyone to come and know His Savior.  The following is a small portion of his testimony.     

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The Host of the Party by Jason Pierosara

Why do I want to be baptized?

Out of respect. Out of love for The Lord. Out of recognition of all the wonderful things that Jesus has given me and done for me in my life, while I was, and continue to be a sinner - while I blatantly disregarded and at times turned my back on Him. For the new life I have been given. For the redemption bestowed upon me. For the trust He has put and continues to put in me. For the faith He has in me to do right by Him. For the hope and excitement I have. For my friendship with Him.

The past year has been the most exciting and wonderful year of my entire life. Up to that point, it is difficult to explain, but I had always felt like I was waiting for my life to begin. My complete life - my whole life - started a little more than a year ago. Up to that point I had everything. I had been blessed to have loving parents who were and still are happily married, a happy home and childhood, my health, a good education, an incredible wife, and two amazing, healthy children. I had always believed in God and was baptized as a baby in the Roman Catholic Church. But up to that point I never had a relationship with Jesus.

When I first started talking to my pastor about my faith early last summer, I explained to him how I thought about my relationship with Jesus. I felt like a bit of an outsider. It was like there was this party, and everyone was inside, mingling, talking, laughing and having fun. Jesus was at the party. He was in the house, in the back corner. I was at the front door looking in. I wanted to go in, and I wanted to go up to Jesus and introduce myself and talk to Him - to get to know Him. But of course, I couldn't do that! I wasn't worthy of that. It was Jesus - and I thought you can't just walk up to Jesus - it's Jesus!! You needed to prepare. You needed to know about Him. You needed to atone yourself. You needed to be a good person. You needed to be someone who did good things. You needed to be worthy.

And I certainly wasn't.

Slowly, and thankfully, I began to feel more comfortable at the door. And it was my sister and my brother-in-law, and it was my pastor and his wife, the first people that really got me on track with my faith, who were at the entrance of the house, and they were so warm and made me feel like I was welcome. I knew I was at the right place. I was invited. I was supposed to be there. So I took my first steps into the house. And soon, I met my homechurch family. Then my church worship team. And all of you. Each of you was at the party, and still are.

All the while, I felt Jesus watching me from that back corner and smiling, as I began to enter deeper and deeper into the house, surrounding myself with all of you. And finally, I've shyly and sheepishly made my way to that back corner, where Jesus had been watching me the whole time. And today, I stand in front of Him. And I don't need to introduce myself to Him. He knows me. He always has. And it's His house that the party is in. And He is the one that threw the party. And I was never intended to be just a guest at this party. He threw the party for me.

Of course I realize now that you don’t have to do anything to prepare to talk or walk with Jesus. I was the only one holding back my relationship with Him. But it’s not an easy lesson to learn that I didn't need to feel guilt or shame for the things I've done in the past. No matter what my sins were, or what they will be. He loves me. He was protecting and loving me the whole time. And I know today He’s in heaven today rejoicing over me.

And it’s an indescribable feeling.

Jason Pierosara

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Would you like to share your testimony?  I would love to hear from you. You can leave a comment below or send me a personal message on Google+, Facebook or by email.

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Have a wonderful day.