I was blessed to have grown up in a strong Christian family. Church attendance was a regular part of my life and what was taught there was lived out at home. I thank God all the time for allowing me to grow up that way. I was a people pleaser, though. So when I was eleven, I realized all of my friends had been baptized already and figured I should be, too. So I went forward during a revival and got baptized. Then two years later on my first youth mission trip I was standing in the front at a tent revival as part of the choir. After hearing the sermon on the unpardonable sin, I was immediately convicted that I hadn’t truly been saved two years prior. I had gone through the motions to make everyone happy. As I sang “Just As I Am” under that tent, I wrestled with pride and embarrassment. Everyone thought I was already saved… how could I go forward and say I’m not? Thankfully, Jesus won that night. I gave my life to Him for real this time. I was baptized when we got home from our trip.
My main reason for becoming a Christian was to escape living eternally in Hell. I wanted to be sure that I was going to live forever with Jesus in heaven. But after becoming a wife and mother and living through life’s circumstances, I now know that having a full fledged RELATIONSHIP with Jesus is absolutely amazing! He is truly my best friend. No, I can’t see Him or hear Him audibly, but I know He is always with me, no matter what. Whenever I mess up or someone disappoints me, I run to Him. I love that I can come humbly to His throne and pour out everything that is going on in my head and my heart, and He is listening and understanding. I can open the Bible, which are His words, and hear from Him. He loves me unconditionally, like no other can.
I couldn’t imagine living this life without the hope I have in the One who died for me. In this evil and imperfect world, you have to have something to put your hope in. I pray that you will choose to put your hope in the One who is good and perfect, and died for you, too.