What was life like before you met Jesus?
Before I truly knew Jesus and what he did for me when he died on the cross, I was a completely different person. I was always looking for the approval of others in my life and trying to fit in with any group of people that would let me in. I searched and searched for a group of people to let me in. As I was trying so hard to be a part of a group I let go of my morals in order to fit in. I gave up on what I was taught as a child because in my head if the world didn't accept me then I must be doing something wrong. I was also desperately looking to control every aspect of my life. I simply removed myself from situations where I could not be in control. I thought that the best thing for me was to have all the control, to be the one calling the shots on what I did, when I did it, and who I did these things with.
How did you meet Jesus?
During the time in my life when I thought I was the best person to be in control, I ended up in numerous bad situations that could have ended up so much worse than they did. Even though I was participating in many bad habits, I continued to attend church on a regular basis. I went by myself each Sunday and sat in the very back row, hiding from anyone who might notice me. Each week I could feel the Holy Spirit working through the message to speak truth to me. Later on and over time, my family helped me remove myself from the bad situations I continued to put myself in and I began to see my life turn around.
After being saved by Jesus, what is your life like now?
Now that I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ I live a completely different life. I know that I do not need the approval of anyone in this world. All I need is to know that God loved me so much that he gave his one and only son to die on the cross and take away all of my sins for me. I can now understand that I am not meant to fit in with the world. I am meant to be different and to stay true to who I am through Jesus Christ. Now, I am able to be at peace knowing that it is not through my own works that I have been saved but through the grace of my God. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9