What was life like before you met Jesus?
I've always been a shy and introverted person. I never had many friends growing up or in school. Most times I felt like an outcast and it was hard to fit in. In the past, I've drank alcohol to make myself feel more relaxed and fit in with others. I felt like I was always missing a sense of purpose in my life.
How did you meet Jesus?
The story of how I met Jesus is quite funny, but it all started with a girl. She started working at my job and I thought she was amazing and I just had to get to know her. I tried asking her out one time and her response was, "Are you a Christian?" and I said something like, "Well, I believe in God, but why does that matter?" and she said, "Sorry, I don't date boys that aren't Christian." A few weeks passed by, and then she invited me to go to church with her. I thought, sweet I'm in! I don't mind sitting through church to have a shot with her. She kept inviting me every Sunday and after attending church several Sundays, something felt different. It was like I suddenly felt like my life had a purpose and there was a greater mission that I was on. After church one Sunday, I asked her if we could go to lunch because I wanted to talk about some things. We talked through her story of meeting Jesus and I told her that I felt like I was being called to a higher purpose than just my own self-interests. When I think about this heart and mind transformation, I think of 1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." This verse specifically makes me feel like my purpose is more than just living life on this Earth. God chose me to do things for his glory and not for my own personal interest.
After being saved by Jesus, what is your life like now?
I have a good support network of Christian people that consistently point me back to Jesus. Whenever there are troubles in life or if I'm struggling with something, I'm pointed back to the goodness of God and reminded that through every situation God has a purpose and is trying to teach me something. The girl who invited me to church is now my wife. We get to raise our kids together and point them towards the Lord in hopes that one day they call Christ their savior as well. I know I have eternal life through Jesus Christ because John 5:24 says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." This verse brings me so much joy in knowing that because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, I have eternal life.