What was life like before you met Jesus?

I grew up in the church and knew all the right answers in my mind, and yet I didn't have Jesus in my heart. I would jump from one thing to the next looking for satisfaction and joy. I was constantly searching for love and approval from those around me and how well I could do in life, and it left me empty and depressed.

How did you meet Jesus?

In my freshman year at Kirkwood, I started attending the Salt Company on Thursday nights. Over that Christmas break, I went through one of my worst seasons of depression, I felt I had no reason to live. One Thursday night, Jake Each preached about joy, and that true joy is found in Jesus. The song “Because He Lives” was played, and I just remember sobbing and that was when Jesus made it clear to me that “because He lives, I can face tomorrow, and life is worth living, just because He lives.” My identity and joy are found in Jesus alone, and He gives me a reason for living when the world around me is telling me to give up. I am no longer a slave to this world because Jesus so kindly chose to reveal himself to me when I am so undeserving and has given me a new identity the old me is gone. "Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But- when God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:3-5)

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

Since meeting Jesus, He has changed my desires as I no longer search for satisfaction in relationships because I know that only Jesus can satisfy me. I still deal with some seasons of depression, but I now know that my purpose in life is to bring God glory, and that gives me a reason to keep going. The Lord has changed my desires from myself to those around me. I long to share this amazing news with those around me that Jesus is better than anything this world might have to offer. My hope for eternity has given me joy on earth. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom. 6:23)