What was life like before you met Jesus?
Before I met Christ, I always looked for external fixes – whatever would temporarily make me happy. I worried a lot about what people thought of me and was overall very anxious. I'd look forward to weekends when I could drink to drown out the stresses of the week. The future seemed like a blur; I didn’t have high hopes for myself. I felt lost and confused, unsure of what was next. I tried moving across the country, hoping for answers, but quickly realized it wasn’t for me. After a long year, I moved back to Iowa, feeling even more lost and confused than before.
How did you meet Jesus?
After feeling lost for so long, the thought of going to church crossed my mind. I asked my friend if she'd like to join me, and she said yes. So, we started going together every Sunday. But the moment my faith took a big leap was when I met my long-distance friend Kayla. I took a work trip to California, and by the grace of God, I ended up meeting Kayla. Right away, I knew something was different about her. She carried herself so well and was filled with so much joy. Jesus worked through her like I had never seen before. The way she talked about her faith was so effortless and easy. I knew she had something I didn’t – Jesus Christ. I was brought to tears on that trip because I saw the Lord working firsthand, and I knew from that moment on that I not only wanted but needed a relationship with Jesus. In Matthew 5:16, it says, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” That is exactly what Kayla did. If it weren’t for her, my relationship with God would not be as strong as it is today. Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
After being saved by Jesus, what is your life like now?
After being saved, I live my life with so much joy and gratitude. I am no longer anxious and worrying about what my future holds. One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” It is a reminder that God is in control and He’s got your back. He knows the outcome and can see the big picture. Knowing that allows me to let go of my worries, and I trust that when the time is right, God will provide – and He has shown me that time and time again. In Jeremiah 29:11, it says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."