But, that is not what it takes to get to heaven. When I was in the 8th grade I went to a large conference with my student group from church. I had heard everything they were saying before… hundreds of times even. For whatever reason it clicked that night. The speaker told a story about his wife dying while giving birth to their child. And that you never can predict when you might not be around anymore. He then shared about Jesus dying on the cross for all the sins I committed  and that He still loved me even though I would sin again. He talked about how even though he died he was brought back to life and that by believing he did that and committing to following Him that I could be saved and secure my place in heaven!

I didn’t have a huge change in my life. Fireworks didn’t set off. I wasn’t miraculously cured from any kind of addiction. I simply knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that if I died in the van on the way back to the hotel I would spend eternity in heaven with Jesus. It’s been that way everyday since. I’m not perfect…far from it. I continue to struggle with many things. But, because God loved me enough to send His son Jesus to die on a cross for my sins, I am determined to try and honor Him through what I do in my life by daily asking Him to lead me in everything I do.