What was life like before you met Jesus?
Before I came to know Jesus, I was searching for acceptance and approval. I looked for my identity not through Christ but through what others thought of me, my success, and making sure I fit in with the crowd. I never really thought of putting any effort into diving into my faith with Jesus. I always had an interest in doing it but always put it off because I thought I had better things to do. The night my grandmother passed away, I yelled at God, asking why he did what he did and, if he was so great, why he would take away such an important human in my life. I didn't see the point in faith in Christ when he could do something so horrible. Throughout my high school years and the first couple of semesters of my freshman year of college, I was turning to worldly things as I thought they were fulfilling. I was not taking into consideration how I was hurting myself and unconsciously hurting the people closest to me.
How did you meet Jesus?
My roommate (one of my best friends) had tried convincing me every week to go to Salt Company all throughout the first semester of my freshman year of college. I always had an excuse for why I couldn't go. During February of the second semester of my freshman year, I realized I really needed Jesus. I went to Salt Company one night and I felt a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. I cried and cried because I had finally found the peace I was looking for in my life. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." I realized that through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, I would have eternal life through him and that all of my sins were forgiven.
After being saved by Jesus, what is your life like now?
After being saved by Jesus, I found that I am turning to him for everything in life, whether that be my concerns, my anxieties, my happiness, my gratitude for him, etc. I found that a life lived through Christ is more fulfilling than any worldly-centered life would ever be. John 8:12 says, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." Without realizing it, I was wandering so far into the darkness. Now that he has come for me and saved me, I am finally free!