I was blessed to grow up in a family that attended Sunday School and church every Sunday. I guess we were there every time the church doors were opened, and at the age of twelve I went through confirmation, but I never had a personal relationship with God. As a young adult I played the religion game, I went to church every Sunday, did all the things I was supposed to do, but I had no real peace or purpose in my life. I sought material possessions and thought that all I had to do to enter heaven was provide for my family and live a good life. Everything I did was centered around me controlling every aspect of my life.

But one day, I discovered I needed a change in my life. I realized that even though I thought I was living a good life, I was still a sinner. The Bible teaches that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. I wanted to have this eternal life. I wanted to know for sure that when I died I would go to heaven.

I discovered the truth about God. And that truth is that he loves me in spite of my sins and provides a new way of living through His Son Jesus. You see, Christ died on the cross for my sins, He was buried, and He arose on the third day. When I discovered these truths, I realized God had a purpose for my life and that Jesus was the only way I could experience true peace and joy in my life.

So at the age of 28, on a summer breach retreat for youth where Selene and I were the youth leaders, I asked Jesus into my life. Nothing special happened. No bells rang or sirens blared, but there was a change in my life. I had a newfound desire to know more of God’s Word and have a better understanding of what it meant to live by faith.

Since then I have had assurance of eternal life. I know for a fact that when I die I am going to heaven. I realize everything I have belongs to God and I am only a steward of His possessions while I am here on earth. I have taken the spiritual leader role in my family and realize everything I have comes only by His grace.

You see, Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” and since accepting Jesus as my Lord and savior I have certainly found that to be true.