What was life like before you met Jesus?
Before I met Christ, I was insecure and lonely, and I sought someone to trust for guidance. I relied solely on my loving parents, and though they are fantastic, they are human just as I am and thus fall short of what I truly needed. I realized I needed God, the only one who consistently was and is in control and loves me more than I can comprehend.
How did you meet Jesus?
I started following Jesus when I was very little, around 6 and realized I needed and wanted Jesus. I grew up going to church. I was nurtured by my parents, a private Christian school, and my church. I learned that in every aspect, I alone fail to be enough to meet my own standards and the world’s standards, let alone God’s standards (Romans 3:23 “- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”). Thankfully, despite my failures, God loves me unconditionally and he forgives me daily (John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, and whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”) I asked my mom what it meant to be saved and sought forgiveness, eternal life, and a relationship with God. I realized that he is omnipotent - all powerful and created the entire awe-striking world, and is always in control when I feel so utterly helpless. He is omniscient - all knowing, knowing what my needs and anxieties are and what is ultimately best for me and his glory. He is omnipresent - he is everywhere and always there, especially when I feel alone and the world rejects me just as it rejects him (John 15:18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”).
After being saved by Jesus what is your life like now?
Because Christ died for my sins and has forgiven me, I don’t need to seek the world’s approval. I can live freely in his love and grace without the pressure to succumb to my overly deflated or inflated ego. He gives me a purpose and fulfillment in life. I can live out my life for him rather than in my selfish, empty ways. Through my anxiety and stress, I know that he is in control and that all things work together for good and his glory. His good is always for my good. He reminds me of this in Matthew 6:26 - “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”