Supermodel Kathy Ireland Reveals Experience That Made Her Determined ‘To Follow Jesus Christ’

It came as a welcome surprise this week when supermodel Kathy Ireland revealed how an experience she had as a teenager changed her life forever. It made her want “to follow Jesus Christ.”

As you know, in the entertainment world today, it’s unfortunately rare to find a celebrity who is brave enough to be open about his or her Christian faith.

“I was living in Paris and it was really a hard time,” the 58-year-old former Sport’s Illustrated supermodel told Fox News. “I know it might sound glamorous, but I was alone modeling. It wasn’t my plan, but I recognized it as an opportunity. I could save money for college or start a business. I just barely finished high school and I had no technology or distractions.”

Ireland Drawn To Jesus Christ

While going through her suitcase one night in 1981, when she was only 18 years old, Ireland was shocked to find that her mother had secretly packed a Bible for her.

“I didn’t even know how to read one,” she confessed. “I’d never read one before in my life. I opened up the Book of Matthew. And as I’m reading in the middle of the night, I knew I was holding the truth in my hands. There wasn’t anybody in the room saying, ‘Be this denomination or that denomination.’ It was like, ‘I want to follow Jesus Christ.’ And he was nothing like I thought.”

“In my industry, at that time, it was filled with a lot of really sketchy guys,” Ireland added. “I was drawn to how powerful Jesus was. How loving and honoring he was of women. It gave me such comfort. And so, he became my lord and savior. The experience forever changed my life.”

Related: Demi Lovato Cut Off Her Hair To Buck ‘Gender And Sexuality Norms’ Of Southern Christian Upbringing

Ireland Studies Bible For Years – Reads Entire Thing

As Ireland became a hugely successful model at a young age, many people in her position would stray away from Christ and into sinful activities.

Ireland, however, remained determined to keep studying the Bible and she avoided the many temptations of fame to do so.

Even so, the act of actually studying the Bible was not an easy task for her, given some of the language that is used in it.

“Some things I would read and really love,” she explained. “And other things, I would read and say, ‘Oh, that must be a typo. That’s a different interpretation or a cultural thing. Certainly doesn’t pertain to me.’ So I was picking and choosing what I liked and neglecting the rest of it.”

“I was trying to mold God into what I wanted him to be, rather than just surrendering and letting him make me into the person he made me to be,” Ireland continued. “And oh my goodness, he was so patient. I was 44 when I finally read the whole Bible. It continues to teach me every day.”

Related: Justin Bieber Takes His Faith-Based Message To California Prison

Jesus Helps Ireland In Business World

The former model is also a businesswoman and an entrepreneur. And, she believes that Christ has helped her in her business ventures as well. Ireland founded kathy ireland® Worldwide brand in 1993. 

“The gospel is the core of every decision that I make,” she explained. “We’re not a Christian company. We have team members from all different backgrounds and different beliefs. I don’t force my faith or beliefs on anyone. But I’m not ashamed of them.”

“I can’t do anything that’s going to contradict it,” Ireland concluded. “I cannot compromise my faith. I’m just so thankful for God’s grace because I have made so many messes in my life. And he gives us a perspective – an eternal perspective.”

In a world where most of our celebrities glamorize activities that are not even remotely Christian, Ireland’s open devotion to God is truly refreshing to witness.

We could certainly use more celebrities like her!