Before Jesus Changed My Life
Before I knew Jesus, I was completely broken and lost. I was diagnosed with depression, and I had suicidal thoughts every single day. I was addicted to marijuana and nicotine, and I was getting drunk and going to parties every weekend just to try and find some sliver of joy. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, and honestly, I didn’t think my life meant anything or would even continue another couple of years. I felt like a lost cause that no one could help, and I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t even really care to try to find help or get help.
How Jesus Changed My Life
When I was coming out of my addiction with marijuana, I got really bad withdrawals that took me to the lowest point of my life. It was in that moment that God came to me and showed me that it was alright and that I could trust his plan. From that encounter, I knew that God was real and was good, and I could trust him. So naturally I told my friend, who was a Christian what happened, and he invited me to SALT for the first time, and I went and had a great time. Then I started going to Veritas regularly and SALT every Thursday. I could feel myself drawing closer to God. Then, at a Sunday service at Veritas after the sermon, I was overwhelmed by my sin and the thoughts of what I had done in the past to the point of tears. I just apologized and begged for forgiveness, and gave it all to Christ. It was in that moment that I felt Jesus and his pure unconditional love. That moment showed me that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and there is only one true God and it’s our God and that wherever he wants me to go, whatever he wants me to do, I’ll do it for him and I’ll give him all the glory. I now fully believe the gospel. It is the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s a living testament of God's love for us and what he will do for us. John 3:16 makes clear that because God loves us so much, that he sent his one and only son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and save us so that we might live in eternity with him in heaven!
My Life After Jesus Saved Me
Now that I know Christ, I am in a Connection Group through SALT and will hopefully be leading one next semester. I attend SALT and Connection group every week without missing a day, as well as Sunday service at Veritas. That’s just my day-to-day schedule changes. I’ve gotten better at talking to people and not just closing off and tapping out of conversations. I’ve left all of those old negative environments and found new ones surrounded by Christ with new friends who have massively helped me and encouraged me to draw closer to God. I am no longer depressed and suicidal, and I am completely sober. When I reflect on who I was three years ago, I don’t even recognize that person anymore. Before Christ, I had nothing and no plan for my life. Then I found a plan and started chasing it, but I couldn’t find fulfillment in it because it was a worldly plan with worldly dreams. Now God has given me a new path to follow, and it’s a path walking alongside him, so I’m going to follow him and his path till the day I’m in the dirt.