Before Jesus Changed My Life
I was raised in a Christian home my whole life but I never really knew Jesus. Growing up I would lie to my parents and get away with it, use unclean language behind my family's backs, and say hurtful things to my friends because I was hurt and broken and unsure of myself. I depended on how much I could protect myself from others, rather than depending on God to save me from my self-doubt.
How Jesus Changed My Life
My Junior year of high school was the lowest point I found myself in. I was in a toxic relationship and I had drifted from God and was constantly plagued with self-hatred. By the end of my Senior year, I had enough. I reconnected with a church and agreed to come to Salt Company with my older sister, and that's where I found a welcoming community that had an abundance of love for God. I've had Psalm 23 memorized but now it holds a very special place in my heart because I have seen how God has led me through the valley and poured out blessings that I can't even begin to count. I got plugged into a connection group and started consistently coming to Salt, and decided to go to Fall Retreat 2023 where I truly felt God's presence and His calling for me to immerse myself into the loving community and ever since then I have been consistently attending Salt and services at Veritas church.
My Life After Jesus Saved Me
Since giving my life to the Lord at Fall Retreat 2023, I have felt an unexplainable joy and peace when faced with trials. God has given me hope for a brighter future, and an abundance of love for people who have yet to come to know Him. John 3:16a says "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son.." and because of that verse God has shown me the goodness of loving on others the way that He loves us. It is so lovely to be cared for and I can't help but share God's love with everyone I meet because it would be so selfish to do anything other than share it. He has drastically changed my perspective on life and all those in this world. Because of Jesus, it's become so easy to keep a smile on my face knowing that by grace I have been saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10). Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Cor. 3:17). Romans 10:9 says "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.", and I can't help but praise Him for all He's done in my life, and it is an honor I can serve Him, for His glory with the reassurance He will someday welcome me home.