Before Jesus Changed My Life
Before Jesus changed my life, I was a sinner lost without purpose. I chased the approval of others, prioritized my own pleasure and instant gratification, and searched for comfort to fill the void in my heart. I turned toward video games, pornography, junk food, and putting others down in order to make myself feel better. But none of that filled the void, it only deepened it. I had no idea that my problem wasn’t loneliness or boredom, but instead, it was being separated from God. Romans 3:23 states: “All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.” And that could not have been more true of me. I lived my life solely for myself and my comfort, blind to the truth that only Jesus could forgive my sins and give me a true purpose.
How Jesus Changed My Life
Jesus came to me when I was at the lowest point of my life. At 15, I was depressed, obese, suicidal, had no friends, failing all my classes, and addicted to instant gratification. One night, depressed and at rock bottom, I considered taking my own life. And when I had lost all hope, I broke down. But in my hopelessness, something called out to me to do something I’d never done before: pray. I turned to God, confessed my sins, and cried out to him to help me. In that moment, I was rescued from my despair and given purpose. God gave me the strength to begin changing my body and life, but most importantly, led me to seek him.
When I moved to college a year later, everyday missionaries from Salt Company came knocking on my door, asking if I wanted to participate in their welcome week. They invited me to attend Salt every Thursday night at Veritas, and I did for a few months. I began learning who Jesus was and what it meant to follow him. But eventually, I drifted away and stopped attending. But even as I turned away from God, in his love he pursued me relentlessly, calling me back to him the next year when I was once again invited to welcome week. This time, I knew it wasn’t a coincidence. As Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it through to completion.”
That’s when I truly began to realize the beauty of the Gospel and what it is: the story of Creation, the fall into Sin, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and new creation of the kingdom of God. And during a Salt Company sermon, God spoke directly to me. The pastor spoke of shallow and strangled hearts–people who hear God’s word but let sin and worldly desires choke it out. In my heart, I was convicted and broke down in tears, fearing there was no hope for me. But amidst my tears, the pastor read Ezekiel 36:26, which said: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a new heart.” I realized that there was still salvation for me, and I was filled with indescribable joy. At that exact moment, I surrendered my life to Christ.
My Life After Jesus Saved Me
Since I surrendered my life to Christ, my whole life has been changed. Instead of living for my own pleasure and comfort, I live for God’s glory. I used to feel empty, hopeless, and like I had no direction. But God, rich in love and mercy, has given me peace, joy, and a purpose. Romans 5:8 states that “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I find great comfort in knowing that I have been forgiven, am loved by God, and have been made new again in Christ.