Monterrey, Mexico on June 24th of 2015 - Jesus captured my heart.
Growing up, I never knew what it was like to know Christ. Actually, all I knew was I had to go to church on Christmas and Easter as a way to check off the box. This was my idea of what it looked like to be in relationship with God. Go to church twice a year and say a few prayers in between.
For most of my life, I lived under the pressure of proving myself. God blessed me with athletic abilities since a young age, but with that came the weight of performing well to gain other's approval. I searched for my meaning in how many points I scored and how many three-pointers I made. Academically, if I didn't earn an 'A', then you'd think my life was over. I put so much pressure on myself that, when I was really young, I personally would walk over to timeout when I did something wrong. Yeah, you read that correctly - I was that kid who put himself into timeout... You can laugh... Anyways, as I got older, this pressure and desire to live for others continued to grow alongside feelings of inadequacy and insufficiency.
It wasn't until I was around the age of fifteen when the Lord began tugging on my heart. But, it wasn't in ways that I was expecting. Both of my grandparents received news that they had cancer. I started asking the big questions of life like why would God allow this to happen? What did they do wrong to receive this news? And more... We've all asked those big, existential questions. In God's unique plan, He used that to draw me to Him.
I went to my first Bible Study, went to church consistently, and started praying. I was learning about the character of Jesus and who God actually was - not just some dude that sat up in Heaven checking off a list when I went to church twice a year. Rather, this God is a personal God that created me in His image and loves me - as well as all of His creation. During this time of seeking Christ, God put some amazing people in my life who were beautiful examples of what it looks like to live for Him.
Oh, and by the way, both of my grandparents were healed from their cancer and are still alive today (praise God!). This isn't how it always happens, but it revealed to me that God does answer prayers. Anyways, a group of us from my high school had the opportunity to go to Monterrey, Mexico for a missions trip. I was nervous because I never had been out of the country, but I didn't want to miss out. So, taking a leap of faith, I traveled down to Mexico where my life changed forever.
On June 24th of 2015, there was a night of worship. The days previous to that - we spent time with the local communities helping with construction, serving meals, and playing sports. It blew my mind how little they had but how fulfilled they were! But, it was on that Wednesday night in Monterrey, Mexico that God saved a hopeless and searching seventeen-year-old that was yearning for meaning and purpose.
I broke down in tears - more than ever before. I felt overwhelming peace wash over me as I prayed for Christ to enter my heart and forgive me of my sin. God drew me to Himself. I recognized the full weight of my sin and surrendered it all to Him who paid the price on the cross for me. Jesus died so that I (as well as you) could have eternal life. That night, I fully committed to living for God instead of others.
Since knowing Him, God showed me that being a "Christian" isn't about good works. Living for Christ is about pursuing Him daily and doing everything for His glory and honor. Despite my flaws and imperfections, I rest assured that I don't have to prove myself. I live with freedom knowing that the same One who created the universe... also created me.
It hasn't always been easy though. Since the day that Christ saved me, I've been through severe depression my sophomore year of college, I had several injuries that altered my athletic career, dealt with bad anxiety, and more. I'm sure most of you who are reading this can relate and understand because we all go through hard times. But, even when times have been rough, I've always had HOPE. Jesus says, in John 16:33, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." Regardless of my past, current, and future trials, I can take heart. I can take heart because my faith is not in this world - my faith is in the One who has overcome this world.
So... there it is. One testimony of many where Jesus has radically transformed a life for His purposes. I hope that this encourages you and increases your desire to learn more about the love story between God and His people.
However way this has impacted you - feel free to share. I'd love to hear! God bless!
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