Before Jesus Changed My Life
Before Jesus changed my life, I was a person who lacked confidence and constantly cared what others thought about me. I grew up in a family that attended church but I did not understand the gospel was something for me too, not just the adults at service. I also thought salvation was something we achieved through being a ‘good Christian’ and not through the mercy of Christ. My identity was in how I performed on a test or out on the baseball field. If my personal achievements did not meet my goals for myself, I would feel as though I wasn’t as worthy as those around me. Even if I did perform up to my idea of success, there wasn’t a sense of fulfillment, and I was stuck in a constant cycle of self-doubt and disappointment. I would turn to those around me seeking self-assurance and affirmation that I was doing a great job because I really wasn’t sure who I was or what my purpose was.
How Jesus Changed My Life
I intended to attend Coe College for the sole purpose of playing baseball and earning my degree. I was going to limit what I viewed as distractions which included anything outside of these two goals. That didn’t last long, as the second day I was there, my RA Chris Pittman knocked on my door, introduced himself, and invited me to a group called Salt Company. I attended Salt services whenever we didn’t have practices on Thursday nights, and it was there I began to understand the message of the gospel and that it wasn’t just for the adults at Sunday services but it was for me and for everyone around me. One service in particular really scared me with where I was in my life. Matthew chapter 7 was the text that was preached, where Jesus is talking about who will join him in heaven. People who do great works but have no real relationship with Jesus are told by Him “I never knew you, depart from me.” My understanding of how one is saved was completely shaken up. It wasn’t until the spring semester that I then began to have a firm understanding of how I can be comfortable in being saved by the power of Jesus. Chris invited me to a foundations study with Caleb Moody. It was through this study that I was convinced that I too could be saved not by the power of myself or the works of others but solely through the gift that is in Jesus. I came to understand that the gospel is the good news that Jesus has paid the price for our salvation. Understanding the gospel also means that we understand how severe our sin is. It isn’t just something we know we shouldn’t do, but it is us turning away and rejecting God. Romans tells us that the wages of sin is death. Despite the punishment for sin being so great, God loves us so much that if we put our faith in Jesus, He was sent to take our place on the cross.
My Life After Jesus Saved Me
After I truly understood the gift of Jesus and the mercy and grace that it comes from, I was urged to join leadership through Salt Company. I felt a calling to pour into others sharing the gospel the same way that Chris and others did for me. I now have an identity in Christ that is unshakable no matter the circumstances that arise. Whether school or baseball is going the best or the worst it ever has, I feel comfort in Christ. I can turn to worship with my brothers in Christ and prayer when I begin to struggle to uphold the standard God has for us. Having a community to encourage and hold me accountable has been one of the biggest blessings in my life for continuing my walk in Faith. My hope is found in the fact that while I am now trying to devote my time to advancing God’s will and His word, it is solely through Christ that I and others may be saved and that nothing I can do will ever get me into heaven on my own power.