What was life like before you met Jesus?

Before I met Jesus, I was lost and went to worldly things, searching for satisfaction and relief. When the going got tough in my life, I really had a hard time understanding why I was struggling. Ultimately I figured out I must just be "unlucky." I had a lack of hope that my life would get better at the time of shortcomings and this led me further astray from Jesus and the followers of God.

How did you meet Jesus?

I was at Veritas for a Sunday service which happened to be the first week of the James sermon series, and it just felt a little bit different that day. It was all about trials and going to God for wisdom which was something that I had not done in the years leading up to this. I figured it was finally time to stop feeling sorry for myself and dive into his word for my answers. The verse that changed my outlook on everything in my life is James 1:12, which says, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." I finally had something to live for and not just be angry at the world until the next thing happened. The life I was looking for could only be found in Jesus and he had freely offered it to me.

After being saved by Jesus, what is your life like now?

Instantly after I started following His Word and truly living by it, I was able to clear my mind of mistakes I made or things I regret. I had a new understanding of what it meant to live through Christ, and that made me more hopeful, positive, confident, loving, and forgiving. He gave me the foundation that I had been missing for years now, and I can wake up every day knowing He is with me every step of my journey. "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." (John 5:24)