Here we go guys. This is a fun one. Let me tell you the story of how believing in Jesus changed my life.
There were three major components that had to come together for me to truly believe in and follow Jesus.
#1 Having the knowledge of what Jesus did for me
#2 Understanding WHY he did it
#3 My heart being ready to receive it
Oftentimes if you grow up in a Christian home like me, we can become numb to the knowledge that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins, etc.. But I think our faith truly comes alive when we understand WHY God sent Jesus and your heart is in the right place.
A lot of times we aren’t open to meeting God until we hit rock bottom and we have nothing left.
That’s basically how it happened for me. My faith fully came alive right around the time when I met Tommy.
Throughout my teenage years, I had started to put my self worth in my dating relationships. I didn’t feel loved or wanted unless I was with someone. I just kept going down that rabbit hole until finally I hit the bottom. Finally, it felt like the glass shattered and I found myself in this dark place where I didn’t even recognize myself. I had compromised myself and my beliefs for this false sense of love.
Because I had the knowledge of God and Jesus dying for my sins, I knew what I needed to do. I broke away from all romantic relationships, but it was still a daily struggle for me. Without having someone, I just felt empty, broken, and useless. I knew who Jesus was and that he died for my sins, but I didn’t comprehend why he did it. I didn’t realize the love that Jesus had for me. His love is different from anyone else’s because nothing can separate you from it. (Romans 8:38-39) He won’t leave you when you make a mistake. God won’t stop loving you when you stop loving Him. He won’t hold past wrongs against you. He just loves you. When I finally realized that, I realized I needed to get serious about my relationship with Him.
That’s the third part. Your heart has to be in the right place. What I mean by that is you have to be willing and ready to be in a relationship with God. It’s not easy. It’s just like any other relationship in life, except the other person is perfect. God will not ever let you down.
I knew I was ready for a real relationship with God when I realized that I wanted God more than I wanted things of the world.
Previously, I had pushed God away because I didn’t want to feel bad about not following his “rules.” I finally realized that he doesn’t have rules there to make life less fun for us. He has them there because they protect you! He wanted to protect me from the hurt that I went through for years. Obviously I didn’t listen, but he was still there waiting on the other side of things for me.
I pursue a relationship with God now because I love him and I know he wants the best for me. Sometimes God will push me to do things that I don’t feel like doing, but every single time it brings about something good.
For example, I felt God telling me to go to the women’s Bible study at our church. Usually I try to avoid gatherings like that because I’m a major introvert. I get anxiety from having to talk to strangers and I didn’t want to open myself up and meet new people. There was a long list of excuses why I couldn’t do it. I kept feeling that tug and finally I said, “Okay God, I’ll go.” I went to Bible study the first few weeks and I came home just miserable. But I was learning a lot, which if you don’t know me, I love to learn! I kept going and I started to enjoy it a little more each week. Fast forward a year later, and now I can see all the amazing things God has brought about from that one little YES.
God transformed things in mine and Tommy’s marriage, and helped me see areas that we needed to work on. He gave me new perspective on parenting. He taught me a ton about himself. Most importantly, I feel like I have come to really be able to discern the voice of God. Was that all from attending one Bible Study? No. Bible study just got the ball rolling for God to work on me.
But that’s my point, I obeyed God because I know he loves me and I know he wants the best for me, and now I am reaping the fruit of that.
Lastly, a relationship with God is a long journey. Everyone’s relationship will look very different. Mine was up and down for a long time, and I finally feel like it is in a place where it’s only going up from here. I think the most important thing that I want you to take from this is that Jesus loves you. It sounds cliche, but it is SO true.
Jesus loves you. That’s why he died for you.
Because he wants to be with you for the rest of eternity. He wants to be in a relationship with you every single day. And you don’t have to wait until you hit rock bottom to say YES to Him.
In the video below, Tommy and I both share our testimonies and why we follow Jesus!
Let me know in the comments below how believing in Jesus changed your life or what God is doing in your life right now. If you have never accepted Jesus into your life and have questions, feel free to email me through our contact page.
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