When people get to know me, they often
label me a variety of different things,
such as tennis player, musician, flutist, or Miss Teen Virginia
2016.
But although I am standing here and you are sitting over there,
it is my hope to build a bridge today
through the form of spoken word as I share my take on who I am.
My name is [? Caitlin ?] [INAUDIBLE]
and this is my story.
When I was younger, I lived a very broken life.
All my friends around me going underneath the knife.
I was empty, unfulfilled.
My life seemed pointless and dry with no passion or drive.
I didn't understand why.
Instead of building my life I was a resume builder,
fluffy nonsense became my whole life's filler.
But instead of filling the emptiness,
the longing for more, this fluff didn't fill me,
but washed out like sand on a seashore.
My life was built on shaky ground,
circumstantial ranging from friendships and accomplishments
that were always different and changing.
instead of putting my identity in something unshaking,
I built my life on what was prone to giving and taking.
When I was young, I wanted to be a queen, thought the power
position, the glory was the greatest thing.
I thought Miss Teen Virgina would fulfill my childhood
dream.
But after getting there, I realized
things weren't as great as they would seem.
For what good is it to gain the whole world and all its pain,
yet forfeit your very soul no feeling the gaping hole?
In high school, I had some worldly ambition
to be successful, American dream fulfilled was my mission.
Probably depressed, I tried to live my life to the best.
But stress, I found no meaning in my life's quest.
And I realized fulfilled dreams were not so great.
Because after I'd initially celebrate,
on the next thing never satisfied,
this paradigm shift got me surprised.
There are issues and problems, societal divides.
You can't trust your neighbor and you stay to your sides.
But in a culture of problems continually persist,
wouldn't it be wonderful if hope exists?
One day, I decided to reflect to write in a journal
and read the Bible every night.
That day was tunnel vision Tuesday,
but since that decision, I haven't had
a bad day for over two years.
I got clear vision.
I realized that there was something greater out there,
something more that I've been missing
my whole entire life before.
And when I put my identity in something
that would not change, this solid foundation I
would not exchange.
In the beginning, God created a perfect design,
but we made a choice and we crossed a line.
Wrongdoing and selfishness enter our world.
And thus the plot thickens and begins to unfurl.
We needed a savior.
So God sent his son.
It's not about anything we had or have done.
Jesus came in healed, did miracles,
ate with the oppressed.
Instead of the self-righteous, the needy he invests.
The nature of grace is getting more than
what you deserve, like a mighty king coming down to serve.
God's a just and holy God, but he's full of grace
too, that he sent his own son to make us all like new.
Jesus came to take all the hurt and sin away,
the perfect sacrifice, there was no other way.
So he lived and he taught and he cared
for the lost, lived a perfect life,
yet was killed on a cross.
I believe he was crucified.
I believe that Jesus died.
But I believe death he defied.
When the stone was rolled aside, the tomb was empty,
his body gone.
He'd been telling the truth all along.
Jesus was a son of God, our Lord.
He came to bring salvation to our world.
Now, why do we need this, Jesus?
We don't need to be saved.
Successful and content, not depressed and depraved.
That's where suffering, wrongdoing, and sin comes in.
In stress and sorrow, we needed him.
So I follow Jesus Christ, nothing else would suffice.
I gave myself over to one who loved me and gave me life.
In my heart, I believe this.
With my mouth, I said these words.
To God, I confess, I fell short, needed a Lord.
Love is spelled L-O-R-D. I believe this in my heart with
all sincerity.
So in the midst of the issues and cares of society,
I have not a fear or a hint of anxiety.
God loves me when I can't love myself.
His love is greater than any worldly wealth.
I was an imperfect person and imperfect still,
yet the perfect God uses for his perfect will.
God knows what I need, so I need to stop worrying.
Rushing round everywhere, stressed out and hurrying.
Let's be filled with hope and keep our sights
not on worldly pain, but on higher heights.
For if these lives are all we got,
then why do we try to live good lives for each success so high,
that if we believe in eternity and life after death,
shouldn't we be here using our every breath.
And the story doesn't end here, because when we die.
Our lives don't just end, but our souls are lifted high.
And one day Jesus will come again.
And I know that he is a loving friend.
God's the savior and the maker and creator, innovator.
This is not really my story, but the story of God
and his grace in my life and how I am odd.
My story's uneventful and not very unique,
but God's changed my life.
That's the only thing I can speak.
Instead of the shy, sad girl that I was before,
God has given me love and passion and more.
I believe by faith Jesus, God sent dying on a cross,
he rose from the grave to give hope to the lost.
And he's coming again.
And when I die, I'll meet him, heaven forever, no pain,
no death, no sin.
God to me, me to you, here's to building a bridge.
The bridges may have burned.
We can move on and forgive.
Faith [INAUDIBLE] built me a bridge that's this strong.
I hope that you too can find where you belong.
This concludes for now this in the process
story, which has been for my good for God's glory.
He's always working, whether I see it or.
Not thank you.
And that's my final ending thought.