I GOT TIRED OF PLAYING CHURCH: Ashley’s Salvation Story

Hello Royalty.

How are you doing? Thank you for all of the love on my last post. So so grateful. If you read the first post of this month, you are aware I shared my 7-year journey with Christ, and I mentioned how we will continue to share salvation stories through all the Sundays of the month.

Here’s one by Ashley and I love how her story relates to the façade that today’s society swims in. I refuse to give out all the juice. Read Ashley’s story below:

My Salvation Story – My Real Life Journey

It was on a Friday, the 1st day of May 2015. I will never forget that afternoon. My resident Pastor and His wife were seated in the Church auditorium while the regional Pastor made an altar call. He was invited to impart and pray for the newest set of graduating Bible students. I had attended the same Bible school years earlier. The reason I attended the Bible school was because I had spare time on my hands and needed a refresher’s course, or so I thought.

In that moment he made the altar call, every fiber of my being knew I had to answer the call. It was intense for me. Ashley – Pastor’s daughter, Pastor’s Wife’s handbag, firebrand youth EXCO, Evangelism unit secretarywere some of the words that permeated my mind in the split of a second. As those thoughts filled my mind, I cried so hard. Thank God for Grace. I decided in my heart that I wasn’t going to let any mortal man determine my decision. I needed God more than anything in the world. I was empty, and confused. Yes, I was full of vigor at church. Yet, I produced no results. I never hesitated to answer any call from my Pastor. Still, behind closed doors, I was running away from God. Have you ever had that feeling – amazing public worship but almost dead personal relationship with Daddy? It’s an awful feeling.

The moment I stepped out, it seemed like I was released from a prison house. Indeed, I was. I was freed from the prison of religion and hypocrisy. I finally reached out to God! I felt God smile at me. I felt Him embrace me. I knew it was the beginning of a new chapter in my life.  I call my Salvation Story my real life Journey because that’s where and when my real life began – May 1st 2015.

Now, it’s been almost four years of dogged, unflinching and priceless relationship with God. I’ll never trade it for the world. There’s no denying the fact that there have been challenges down this path. Still, several challenges have become testimonies, and through them all, my relationship with God continues to thrive. The sweetest part is – I do life daily with the Holy Spirit – The Father’s Promise!

One great lesson I learnt is never to let people’s thoughts about me determine my decisions. Then, I knew who I was. Okay, even if I didn’t, I knew who I wasn’t. The spiritual jim-jima lot of people thought me to be wasn’t who I was. Thank God that now, the story has changed. Permit me to use these words – I’m jealous for and about my relationship with God. I consider it second to none.

Friend, do you currently know your stand with God? Do you have a functional relationship with Him? Or are you hiding the emptiness from a broken relationship with Him? Trust me – besides you and God, no man can fix your relationship with God. This love relationship with our Creator ought to be very personal. It’s beyond what we see on Facebook and Instagram. The foundation of our connectivity to Abba is more than what meets the eye.  The sacred altar is our hearts.

A wise man asked, “Who or what currently seats on throne of your heart?” I humbly advise that you sincerely provide an answer to that. I have no regrets I answered that question a few years ago. I still ask myself the same question often, because, it is a necessity. Apostle Paul said, “Examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5) In other not to rise and fall in this life’s race, there is great need for regular examination of one’s self.

My Christian journey only gets better (I’m even more excited about where I’ll spend eternity). It’s amazing! Indeed, life is beautiful with God at the centre of it all.

With Selfless Love,

Raluchukwu Ashley Ekwedike

Ashley is a budding Counseling Psychologist, a devoted Scribe, and a team member of Women Of The God Kind. She is the Author of On a Journey With Job, and she is a selfless lover of God. Ashley blogs at Daughter’s Sword. Guess what? You can always find her there!


I hope that Ashley’s story has struck a cord or two in you (look at that rhyme!). Thank you for your time!

Goodbye Royalty,

With Overflowing Love,

Alexandra Zion.

About the author
Christocentric. Academic. Writer. Poet
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