What was life like before you met Jesus?
I accepted Jesus into my life in high school but strayed away in my faith in college and my early 20’s. Straying away from Jesus produced inner conflict and emotional distress. My heart was hardened and less sensitive to the conviction and guidance of the Holy Spirit. I was very much on the throne, not Jesus. My life meant my rules. I was driven by worldly expectations, searching for my identity by status, battling the need for control, drowning in anxiousness/fears, and was living my life as self-serving vs God-serving. The more I tried to fix it, the more I realized I couldn’t. My life looked great to others from the outside looking in. But inside, I felt empty, incomplete, and alone. It consumed me and was overwhelming.
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Proverbs 29:25
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25
How did you meet Jesus?
I really found my way back to Jesus in my late 20’s. I had just gone through some tough situations and transitions. I was searching for community, discipleship, and sought guidance on returning to Jesus. I was introduced to Veritas by my now husband, Isaac, in 2017. Since returning regularly to church, building community with fellow believers (who I am blessed to say have become great friends), serving, and always learning and evolving my rhythms with God, there has been a huge transformation in the restoration of my faith.
“Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!” Lamentations 3:40
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“For everyone who asks receives and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:8
After being saved by Jesus, what is your life like now?
Since my return to Jesus, my life is visibly different. I still struggle with sin daily. I am looking at my sin differently and am able to drive to the root of it. In all my aspects of life; work, home, hardships, decisions, relationships, and thoughts— I ask myself, am I trusting God? Am I serving God?
What is my life now? My mind is quieter. My heart is still. I pray more, and worry less. As someone who suffered from anxiety, these changes are hugely noticeable. My identity is in Jesus. I no longer try to measure up my worth by my career or achievements. When hardships come, I try to suffer well, running towards God vs away from Him. I can still have joy when the world is in the chaos of sin. I rest in knowing I have a protector and provider. I do not need to do it alone. I can bring anything to Him and He will not turn me away. I trust in His plan for me.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6