Cadet Fikile Radebe, from Ezakheni Corps in the Northern KwaZulu-Natal Division, is a woman of faith who has embraced God’s calling with courage and commitment. Her journey has been one of transformation, trust, and strong faith in God’s guidance. Having left behind a comfortable life, including her career and family, she has stepped boldly into the path God has set for her. Today, she stands as a witness to His faithfulness, ready to share her testimony of hope, love, and the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.
Most of the time, we live our lives feeling more or less capable of handling what’s in front of us at a given moment. For example, when a meal needs to be prepared, we cook; when grass needs cutting, we mow; and when a house needs to be built, we construct it. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes, life happens in ways that leave us feeling hopeless—like there’s no one to help, no one to listen, and no solution to our situation.
Today, I stand in awe of God’s greatness. I am a living testimony of His amazing love and the hope I found in Him. Receiving Christ and being born again through the Holy Spirit was one of the most exciting times of my life. It was incredible to learn to see life through the lens of Jesus. The transformation from my old ways was so profound that my family and neighbours often wondered what had happened to me. I longed for them to know that Jesus had come into my life, but outwardly, life seemed normal. The greatest challenge came when I realized that God had something more in store for me. It took years for me to embrace and live the life He was calling me to.
Responding to God’s call after many years was not easy. It wasn’t a simple decision that I could make and then carry on with life as usual. Leaving behind my career, my family, and a comfortable life was incredibly challenging. But through it all, God remained faithful in miraculous ways. During this season of my life, I learned to trust Him completely.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” This Scripture has been a constant source of hope for me. It reminds me that I serve a living, present God. My faith is not just a passive agreement or reluctant cooperation—it’s a covenant that I must live by every day of my life. It also reminds me that my actions reflect my beliefs. As a Christian and a child of God, I strive to ensure that Christ is reflected in me at all times.
Psalm 34:19 says, “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” I have learned that seeking to serve God does not exempt me from hardships, persecution, or trials. My time at College has had its highs and lows, but through it all, the God who called me has remained faithful. It is because of His faithfulness that I am passionate about proclaiming His good news—the message of love, hope, and salvation.
This is a perfect time to turn to Jesus. In Him, there is hope, even when all hope seems lost. As we approach the end of the year, many of us reflect on our goals. For some, these goals feel unattainable. Yet, in this Christmas season, as believers and children of God, we are called to share love, mend relationships, and bring peace as a gesture of the hope we have found in Christ.
When we received Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we adopted His mindset, and our lives now reflect Him. We become selfless, sharing His love, peace, and joy with the hopeless and the homeless. This is the season when our faith is seen in our deeds, not just our words. We clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and love the unlovable—all because God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
We do these things to remind people that there is hope in Christ. Even when circumstances leave us feeling hopeless, the good news is that Jesus loves us, came to save us, and gives us hope for the future.