1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,030 2 00:00:01,030 --> 00:00:02,950 When people get to know me, they often 3 00:00:02,950 --> 00:00:04,940 label me a variety of different things, 4 00:00:04,940 --> 00:00:10,150 such as tennis player, musician, flutist, or Miss Teen Virginia 5 00:00:10,150 --> 00:00:11,440 2016. 6 00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:14,290 But although I am standing here and you are sitting over there, 7 00:00:14,290 --> 00:00:16,180 it is my hope to build a bridge today 8 00:00:16,180 --> 00:00:19,640 through the form of spoken word as I share my take on who I am. 9 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:21,140 My name is [? Caitlin ?] [INAUDIBLE] 10 00:00:21,140 --> 00:00:23,330 and this is my story. 11 00:00:23,330 --> 00:00:26,150 When I was younger, I lived a very broken life. 12 00:00:26,150 --> 00:00:28,880 All my friends around me going underneath the knife. 13 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:30,320 I was empty, unfulfilled. 14 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:33,290 My life seemed pointless and dry with no passion or drive. 15 00:00:33,290 --> 00:00:34,970 I didn't understand why. 16 00:00:34,970 --> 00:00:37,940 Instead of building my life I was a resume builder, 17 00:00:37,940 --> 00:00:40,539 fluffy nonsense became my whole life's filler. 18 00:00:40,539 --> 00:00:42,080 But instead of filling the emptiness, 19 00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:44,330 the longing for more, this fluff didn't fill me, 20 00:00:44,330 --> 00:00:46,940 but washed out like sand on a seashore. 21 00:00:46,940 --> 00:00:48,680 My life was built on shaky ground, 22 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:51,494 circumstantial ranging from friendships and accomplishments 23 00:00:51,494 --> 00:00:53,160 that were always different and changing. 24 00:00:53,160 --> 00:00:55,409 instead of putting my identity in something unshaking, 25 00:00:55,409 --> 00:00:58,820 I built my life on what was prone to giving and taking. 26 00:00:58,820 --> 00:01:01,480 When I was young, I wanted to be a queen, thought the power 27 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:03,710 position, the glory was the greatest thing. 28 00:01:03,710 --> 00:01:06,020 I thought Miss Teen Virgina would fulfill my childhood 29 00:01:06,020 --> 00:01:06,350 dream. 30 00:01:06,350 --> 00:01:07,820 But after getting there, I realized 31 00:01:07,820 --> 00:01:10,310 things weren't as great as they would seem. 32 00:01:10,310 --> 00:01:13,610 For what good is it to gain the whole world and all its pain, 33 00:01:13,610 --> 00:01:17,060 yet forfeit your very soul no feeling the gaping hole? 34 00:01:17,060 --> 00:01:18,980 In high school, I had some worldly ambition 35 00:01:18,980 --> 00:01:22,070 to be successful, American dream fulfilled was my mission. 36 00:01:22,070 --> 00:01:24,920 Probably depressed, I tried to live my life to the best. 37 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:28,190 But stress, I found no meaning in my life's quest. 38 00:01:28,190 --> 00:01:30,770 And I realized fulfilled dreams were not so great. 39 00:01:30,770 --> 00:01:33,140 Because after I'd initially celebrate, 40 00:01:33,140 --> 00:01:35,390 on the next thing never satisfied, 41 00:01:35,390 --> 00:01:38,240 this paradigm shift got me surprised. 42 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:40,910 There are issues and problems, societal divides. 43 00:01:40,910 --> 00:01:43,650 You can't trust your neighbor and you stay to your sides. 44 00:01:43,650 --> 00:01:46,520 But in a culture of problems continually persist, 45 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:49,010 wouldn't it be wonderful if hope exists? 46 00:01:49,010 --> 00:01:51,590 One day, I decided to reflect to write in a journal 47 00:01:51,590 --> 00:01:53,240 and read the Bible every night. 48 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:54,710 That day was tunnel vision Tuesday, 49 00:01:54,710 --> 00:01:56,293 but since that decision, I haven't had 50 00:01:56,293 --> 00:01:57,800 a bad day for over two years. 51 00:01:57,800 --> 00:01:59,201 I got clear vision. 52 00:01:59,201 --> 00:02:01,450 I realized that there was something greater out there, 53 00:02:01,450 --> 00:02:02,991 something more that I've been missing 54 00:02:02,991 --> 00:02:04,730 my whole entire life before. 55 00:02:04,730 --> 00:02:06,470 And when I put my identity in something 56 00:02:06,470 --> 00:02:09,050 that would not change, this solid foundation I 57 00:02:09,050 --> 00:02:10,580 would not exchange. 58 00:02:10,580 --> 00:02:13,190 In the beginning, God created a perfect design, 59 00:02:13,190 --> 00:02:15,520 but we made a choice and we crossed a line. 60 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:17,990 Wrongdoing and selfishness enter our world. 61 00:02:17,990 --> 00:02:20,630 And thus the plot thickens and begins to unfurl. 62 00:02:20,630 --> 00:02:21,590 We needed a savior. 63 00:02:21,590 --> 00:02:22,970 So God sent his son. 64 00:02:22,970 --> 00:02:25,040 It's not about anything we had or have done. 65 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:26,665 Jesus came in healed, did miracles, 66 00:02:26,665 --> 00:02:28,220 ate with the oppressed. 67 00:02:28,220 --> 00:02:31,100 Instead of the self-righteous, the needy he invests. 68 00:02:31,100 --> 00:02:32,810 The nature of grace is getting more than 69 00:02:32,810 --> 00:02:36,530 what you deserve, like a mighty king coming down to serve. 70 00:02:36,530 --> 00:02:38,940 God's a just and holy God, but he's full of grace 71 00:02:38,940 --> 00:02:42,020 too, that he sent his own son to make us all like new. 72 00:02:42,020 --> 00:02:44,480 Jesus came to take all the hurt and sin away, 73 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:46,660 the perfect sacrifice, there was no other way. 74 00:02:46,660 --> 00:02:48,710 So he lived and he taught and he cared 75 00:02:48,710 --> 00:02:50,870 for the lost, lived a perfect life, 76 00:02:50,870 --> 00:02:53,180 yet was killed on a cross. 77 00:02:53,180 --> 00:02:54,560 I believe he was crucified. 78 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:55,850 I believe that Jesus died. 79 00:02:55,850 --> 00:02:57,375 But I believe death he defied. 80 00:02:57,375 --> 00:02:59,660 When the stone was rolled aside, the tomb was empty, 81 00:02:59,660 --> 00:03:00,380 his body gone. 82 00:03:00,380 --> 00:03:02,360 He'd been telling the truth all along. 83 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:03,975 Jesus was a son of God, our Lord. 84 00:03:03,975 --> 00:03:06,470 He came to bring salvation to our world. 85 00:03:06,470 --> 00:03:07,850 Now, why do we need this, Jesus? 86 00:03:07,850 --> 00:03:09,180 We don't need to be saved. 87 00:03:09,180 --> 00:03:11,810 Successful and content, not depressed and depraved. 88 00:03:11,810 --> 00:03:14,630 That's where suffering, wrongdoing, and sin comes in. 89 00:03:14,630 --> 00:03:17,090 In stress and sorrow, we needed him. 90 00:03:17,090 --> 00:03:19,760 So I follow Jesus Christ, nothing else would suffice. 91 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:22,760 I gave myself over to one who loved me and gave me life. 92 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:24,080 In my heart, I believe this. 93 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:25,610 With my mouth, I said these words. 94 00:03:25,610 --> 00:03:29,000 To God, I confess, I fell short, needed a Lord. 95 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:32,690 Love is spelled L-O-R-D. I believe this in my heart with 96 00:03:32,690 --> 00:03:33,980 all sincerity. 97 00:03:33,980 --> 00:03:36,530 So in the midst of the issues and cares of society, 98 00:03:36,530 --> 00:03:39,320 I have not a fear or a hint of anxiety. 99 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:41,240 God loves me when I can't love myself. 100 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:43,840 His love is greater than any worldly wealth. 101 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:46,310 I was an imperfect person and imperfect still, 102 00:03:46,310 --> 00:03:49,100 yet the perfect God uses for his perfect will. 103 00:03:49,100 --> 00:03:51,584 God knows what I need, so I need to stop worrying. 104 00:03:51,584 --> 00:03:53,750 Rushing round everywhere, stressed out and hurrying. 105 00:03:53,750 --> 00:03:56,030 Let's be filled with hope and keep our sights 106 00:03:56,030 --> 00:03:58,820 not on worldly pain, but on higher heights. 107 00:03:58,820 --> 00:04:00,490 For if these lives are all we got, 108 00:04:00,490 --> 00:04:03,930 then why do we try to live good lives for each success so high, 109 00:04:03,930 --> 00:04:06,710 that if we believe in eternity and life after death, 110 00:04:06,710 --> 00:04:09,134 shouldn't we be here using our every breath. 111 00:04:09,134 --> 00:04:11,300 And the story doesn't end here, because when we die. 112 00:04:11,300 --> 00:04:14,140 Our lives don't just end, but our souls are lifted high. 113 00:04:14,140 --> 00:04:16,339 And one day Jesus will come again. 114 00:04:16,339 --> 00:04:18,620 And I know that he is a loving friend. 115 00:04:18,620 --> 00:04:21,860 God's the savior and the maker and creator, innovator. 116 00:04:21,860 --> 00:04:24,260 This is not really my story, but the story of God 117 00:04:24,260 --> 00:04:26,720 and his grace in my life and how I am odd. 118 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:28,930 My story's uneventful and not very unique, 119 00:04:28,930 --> 00:04:30,030 but God's changed my life. 120 00:04:30,030 --> 00:04:31,690 That's the only thing I can speak. 121 00:04:31,690 --> 00:04:33,900 Instead of the shy, sad girl that I was before, 122 00:04:33,900 --> 00:04:36,650 God has given me love and passion and more. 123 00:04:36,650 --> 00:04:39,740 I believe by faith Jesus, God sent dying on a cross, 124 00:04:39,740 --> 00:04:41,900 he rose from the grave to give hope to the lost. 125 00:04:41,900 --> 00:04:42,910 And he's coming again. 126 00:04:42,910 --> 00:04:45,590 And when I die, I'll meet him, heaven forever, no pain, 127 00:04:45,590 --> 00:04:47,450 no death, no sin. 128 00:04:47,450 --> 00:04:49,934 God to me, me to you, here's to building a bridge. 129 00:04:49,934 --> 00:04:51,100 The bridges may have burned. 130 00:04:51,100 --> 00:04:52,630 We can move on and forgive. 131 00:04:52,630 --> 00:04:55,160 Faith [INAUDIBLE] built me a bridge that's this strong. 132 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:57,680 I hope that you too can find where you belong. 133 00:04:57,680 --> 00:04:59,630 This concludes for now this in the process 134 00:04:59,630 --> 00:05:02,810 story, which has been for my good for God's glory. 135 00:05:02,810 --> 00:05:04,550 He's always working, whether I see it or. 136 00:05:04,550 --> 00:05:05,630 Not thank you. 137 00:05:05,630 --> 00:05:08,380 And that's my final ending thought. 138 00:05:08,380 --> 00:05:09,915