The young minister's video was made for her congregation at Hayling Island Baptist Church and, using a series of simple cardboard statements, movingly describes her feelings.
Treatment for the condition led to the loss of her hair, and she describes in the video both positive and negative reactions people have had to her: 'Some were amazing and supportive. Others were not. A few people said I was dangerous, I shouldn’t be near children, I was a risk...Seriously, do I look dangerous to you?'
She also details her reason for hope in the video, writing: 'Seriously, I know that I am God's masterpiece and he hasn't finished with me yet. Having HIV doesn't mean that I can't have the quality of life that Jesus offers'.
In a week where Ireland is going to the polls over same-sex marriage, The Ashers Bakery 'gay cake' row has erupted and a hundred other stories painting Christians as uncaring bigots have done the rounds, we need stories like Hayley's to shine as a light on what the heart of Christian faith is really about.
The video is honest, simple and gets to the heart of the matter. That's what our walk of Christian faith needs to look like to others. We don't need to complicate it, embroider it, or dumb it down. We just need to tell people what's going on in our life and what Jesus means to us.
Hayley's video has done that in an amazing way. In the age of Facebook and Twitter this is a huge opportunity for Christians everywhere to put something hopeful, life affirming and Christ-centred into the news feed of their friends, family and co-workers. So go share...
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