Sunday, November 25th, 2012
I grew up in a traditional church where my parents taught me the importance of a church family and being involved in the church. I learned about God, but didn’t always feel like I really understood things.
I grew up in a traditional church where my parents taught me the importance of a church family and being involved in the church. I learned about God, but didn’t always feel like I really understood things.
Throughout grade school, I was a shy girl with few
friends, was teased a lot. I was constantly afraid of failing and just being
rejected by others. So I aimed for perfection in everything – sports and school
work. I lived on the praises of others. But it was never enough. There was
always something missing and I often felt lonely unless I was lost in one of my
books since I loved to read.
During my senior year of high school, I was dating a guy
named Josh. He made me think about my faith and what it was that I believed.
- One night, he asked me, “If you died today, how certain would you be of going to heaven?”
- I said, “I’m pretty sure.”
- He asked another question, “What would you say to God if He asked why you deserved to go to heaven?”
- My response was, “I’m a good person. I’ve done a lot of good things. And I’ve never done anything really bad or killed anyone.”
- He replied, “What about the cross?”
- I was confused. “What do you mean?”
- “I mean, do you believe Jesus died on the cross for us?”
- I knew that Jesus died on the cross since that's what we talk about at Easter. I said, “Yeah, sure I believe that.” But I didn’t really understand the significance of the cross until later.
Fast forward to college – I was invited to a Campus
Christian Fellowship meeting and since I was single, I decided to go because I
might meet a cute Christian guy there. Well,
I started going to the CCF meetings and visiting different churches. I was
learning a lot and making new friends, but my life still revolved around me
being in control of situations and being a perfectionist.
During the summer after my freshman year of college, all
the things I had been learning finally came together. I finally understood the
significance of the cross. It was no longer just a symbol of Christianity. I
had been so caught up in myself and what others thought of me that I
hadn’t realized that I was a sinner just like everyone else. I was
a sinner who needed Jesus to die on the cross to pay MY penalty for the
sins I had committed. He died for me so that I could one day be reunited
with God in heaven.
There’s nothing I could do on my own. Here’s a verse I’d
like to share that really sums it up:
“For by grace you have
been saved through faith. And
this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of
works, so that no one may
boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
It’s all about Jesus and what He did on the cross.
After that breakthrough, I began giving more control to
God in situations and stopped aiming for perfection that I wasn’t going to
achieve on my own anyway. I realized that I have a bigger purpose in life and
that is to serve God and glorify Him in all that I do.
Today, I wish to be baptized as a symbol of what I
believe and to hopefully be an inspiration to others.
