What was life like before you met Jesus?

Before I truly met Jesus, I had not attended a church service or a church-related event since I was five years old. My family and I started to move around a lot, so there was never any time for us to attend church. Over the years, my mom always talked about how she wanted us to start going to church again, but no action was ever taken. I cared too much about other people and their feelings as I grew older. I cared so much that I was willing to do whatever it took to make others like me: I was a people-pleaser. When I got to college, that idea continued to exist with me, and I started to become very sinful. I figured that since I had sinned so much and so often, there was no hope for me, and I could never be forgiven for what I had done.

How did you meet Jesus?

I met Jesus when one of my college friends urged me to attend a C-group. She told me I should attend, and I figured, "Why not? I have nothing better to do." I went to C-group, and I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. I thought it was kind of weird, but it felt good. I went to Salt Company that Thursday and more weight was lifted. I spent the following weekend at a fall retreat and felt myself growing closer to God. It was one of the best feelings in the world.

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

Now that I have accepted Jesus into my life, I take every chance I can get to worship God or read the bible. I have repented for my sins, and I am receiving the best outcome by praising God. I have spent so much time and energy worrying about what will happen to those that I care about if I do not meet or exceed their expectations. As stated in Matthew 6:27, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" I know now that God has forgiven me for my sins, and He is who I should care about the most. God loves me because I am His, not for who I am trying to be for others.