Before Jesus Changed My Life

Two defining moments have made me realize how far from God I have lived my life. For most of my adult life, I’ve felt disconnected from my immediate family. This made me feel sad and resentful because it’s not how I envisioned my life. I expected to live in a community-based environment, similar to my childhood, but instead, I moved from state to state each time my husband accepted another job and we had to relocate.

I thought I had faith in God. I was always thankful when I landed the new job, but started to see life as very temporary. I always felt as if it was up to me to solve problems, fix situations, or come up with a plan on my own, causing me to fall on my face time and time again.

How Jesus Changed My Life

The more I read and listen to scripture, the more I realize that I am not alone and never have been. Matthew 28:20 says 'I am with you always, even until the end of the world.' This reminds me that every time I felt alone and sad, Jesus was right there with me, ready to embrace me if I would just acknowledge his existence and the love he has for me.

An AHA moment for me occurred while listening to the audiobook on SUFFERING. The author, Paul David Tripp, asks the question: ‘Have you had Faith in God, or have you actually had faith in yourself?’ I immediately identified with that question and realized I had to repent from my pride and surrender to God's will in my life. I prayed that God would forgive me, asked Jesus to guide me and remind me to wholeheartedly release control, and asked the Holy Spirit to dwell in me always.

My Life After Jesus Saved Me

Proverbs 16:3 reminds me to 'Commit my work to the LORD and my plans will be established.' I understand this to mean that I am to put all things in His hands, and He will guide me, instead of me coming up with a plan and saying, help me with THIS. I am forever grateful for Jesus taking on my sin of false pride along with all other sins I've committed and saving me from eternal death. I know we all die, but having the reassurance that Jesus has paid the price for our sin and reconciles me back to God and I can look forward to eternal life, fully in his presence forevermore, is exciting news. I look forward to sharing with anyone who will listen that Jesus is the only way to salvation.