I grew up in a Christian family, so I was surrounded by God and the church from the very beginning. I was raised in a Christian home but just followed through the motions of doing “Christian things” that I thought you were supposed to do. I didn’t know Him: I just knew about Him. 

I found myself searching for purpose and meaning in people and also in myself. Whether that was my friends or in relationships, I poured my whole heart into them. I also became very fixated on myself and my image. I became consumed with what people thought of me and was living for the acceptance of the world. 

At my lowest point when I was alone and afraid, God drew me to Himself. From growing up in a Christian home, I knew what to do. I knew that He could save me if I just let Him. I confessed that I am a sinner and that I was trying to find life in other people and myself. I acknowledged that He sent Jesus to die on the cross so that I can be saved from my sin and have eternal life. I committed to living for God instead of others. 

Since knowing Him, God showed me that being a ’Christian‘ isn’t about just doing good works. He made it clear that I do not have to earn my salvation or His love (Ephesians 2:8-9). He has given me fulfillment and purpose and joy. I am not perfect and I still mess up, but God loves me despite my flaws and imperfections. And when the things I was pursuing before continually let me down, God has never once left me. He has shown Himself to me in His Word, the Bible, in [verse of Scripture]. God loved me even at my lowest point, and He rescued me from myself and eternal separation from Him.