What was life like before you met Jesus?

Growing up in a Christian home, outwardly, my transformation might not seem anything remarkable. But my life was based on work, doing the principles I knew were right, and saying what I knew should be said. However, I was actually living off of my own guidance and according to my own whims. I greatly value having grown up in a Christian home, although it made it difficult in the past for me to know whether or not my relationship with God was based on how I knew it should be vs. how it actually was!

How did you meet Jesus?

I was exposed to the Word my whole life, and I believe I was saved in middle school at church camp, but up until two months ago, I was not living a genuine relationship with the Lord. Moving here and going to college, I knew I needed to plant my feet deeply in a Christian community. And in doing so, I encountered Christ in an overwhelmingly genuine way. I'd never experienced any moving of the Holy Spirit or any tenderness of my heart. But getting into the Word and making it a part of my life caused me to feel like this faith was something real and personal, rather than just going through the motions. I didn't want to be baptized before because I knew my relationship with Him wasn't where I wanted it to be. Everyone pressured me to make that step, and I didn't want to do it because people were pressuring me. My feeling was Mark 9:24 "Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief!." Had I been baptized when I was younger, it would not have been genuine because I was not yet ready to fully surrender to Christ like I have done now. I know that I am a new creation in Christ Jesus my Lord!

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

I am now feeling on fire for God! It's wild! I feel the Holy Spirit working in and through me, I desire the things of the Lord, and my heart and life purpose are full. I am able to be honest with myself and recognize that I'm not putting on a front anymore; things sort of bubble out, and I can't control it! I'm relearning how I viewed scripture and finding more things that stick out to me! Ezekiel 36:26-27 puts the work he did in me best "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." I now feel this tenderness towards the Lord like never before. I am so beyond thankful for my new season in life and where Salt Co. has helped me grow!