What was life like before you met Jesus?
I was not raised in a Christian household and never knew much about God before attending middle school youth group. I went for fun and saw it as a social event, I never really took it seriously. Going into high school, I stopped going to church altogether. Before I met Christ, I was constantly searching for satisfaction in other things. I found my worth and value in what other people thought about me and how I looked. I was so desperate to feel a sense of belonging I turned to the party crowd and relationships to try and fill this void. After months of numbing my insecurities with drugs, alcohol, and boys, I started to realize how lost I was. My worth and my happiness were dependent on other people and things, and I always felt like I had to do more in order for people to approve of me. These things I had relied on to sustain me were beginning to fail, leaving me broken and hopeless.
How did you meet Jesus?
As a last resort, I decided to return to the youth group I had attended in middle school. When I went back, everyone was so kind and welcoming toward me despite what I had been doing outside of church. They had gotten a new youth pastor named Kelsie, who began to meet with me weekly to disciple me and teach me about Jesus and the Gospel. Over time, Jesus revealed Himself to me through His word. I learned that despite my sin against God, He sent His precious and perfect son, Jesus, to die on the cross, suffering the consequence of our sin. Jesus willingly took our place and died the death we deserve so that we could have a relationship with the One who created us. Jesus didn't stay dead but rose from the grave, and in doing so, he defeated death and sin's hold on our lives. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." That is life-changing news.
After being saved by Jesus, what is your life like now?
Now that I have Jesus, my satisfaction and worth are unwavering and eternal. I do not have to seek the approval of others in order to be loved because Jesus demonstrated His love for me by dying on the cross. I don't search for happiness in temporary circumstances because Jesus offers eternal joy. I no longer have to try to be the prettiest or the funniest person in the room in order to be liked because my Heavenly Father created me intentionally and loved me when I was His enemy. Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Jesus is the only thing in this life that will never change, His love for us will never fade. The void I had in my heart reflected my need for God, and it was a void that only He could fill. Now, I am satisfied in Christ alone and set free from my sin and brokenness. Romans 10:9 says, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved". That is an invitation for everyone to walk with Jesus. It is a free gift that comes from the grace of God alone. Surrendering your life to Christ brings unwavering joy and freedom that this world could never offer you.