Before Jesus Changed My Life
I grew up in a rocky household. My dad didn’t believe in God, but my mom and grandparents did. I spent many Sundays attending church with my grandparents. My dad had a tendency to make me feel foolish for going to church. Once my grandpa died, I stopped going to church. However, I would make myself feel better by saying, “I have good morals, no matter what happens after dying in this world, I’ll be okay”. During this season of life, I pursued sin to satisfy all of my own desires.
How Jesus Changed My Life
My living situation changed in February 2025. I started living with my roommate, who would talk about her faith with me. I had a couple of other friends who would invite me to attend church with them, but I denied their requests. However, my curiosity for church grew. One night I was sitting with a friend and expressing to them how hard it was for me to believe in a God who took my grandpa from me, especially when my grandpa was so strong in his faith. I was gently pointed to Isaiah 57:1-2: “The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness”. This verse provided me with so much comfort. The next morning, I went and purchased a Bible so I could read on my own terms. Two weeks later, I accepted an invitation to join her for church at Veritas. I could feel God softening my heart. I remember hearing the gospel for the first time from a friend and not truly comprehending that God would send his only son to die for my sins. That God would give a sinner like me salvation. Through numerous connection group meetings, God opened my eyes to see the truth from Romans 5:8 - “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
My Life After Jesus Saved Me
My life is so much different now. I talk to God daily, but I also sit and listen. I now have a God-given desire to be in the Word, and I’m trying to know Jesus as deeply as possible. God has graciously provided me with the most amazing friends through church. I lean on them in times of need, and I know that I can count on them to point out my sins that I may not see and spur me on in my faith. I find my hope in the Bible. Proverbs 3:5-6 gives me a lot of peace in mind when I’m struggling: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding". I also think about how Jesus died on the cross for my sins and how that gives me great hope, knowing that I have eternal life based on Jesus’ sacrifice for my sins.