I was born into a Christian family. During my childhood, I was exposed to hearing the gospel, both at home and at church. I remember, when I was around 8 years old, hearing the gospel and the only thing that stood out for me was that if you don’t believe in Jesus Christ you will burn in hell forever and ever. That really troubled my soul. I was really scared of this hell, and I wanted to be in heaven with my parents. So it was then that I trusted Christ with my life, just for the hope of escaping hell, and not because I saw myself as a sinner in need of a Savior.

I grew up like any other child from a Christian home. I was obedient to my parents, always seeking to please them. Most of my life revolved around the church. It was only when I reached high-school that my life took a different turn, and everything I believed in was challenged. The sinner in me was revealed as I started living double lives. I was a prideful, immoral, self-centered sinner by day at school, and a humble, obedient, selfless saint by night at home. I mastered the switch between those two roles like a charm for the first two years of high-school.

My life’s pursuit was to do everything I possibly could to belong to my group of friends. Yet the more I tried, the less I felt their acceptance and love. I felt alone and confused. I compromised everything I believed in and even forgot about the hell I was so ever scared of just to be accepted and validated by them, yet that still never happened. During that time, my conscience was troubling me because I knew the truth.

In the midst of all my confusion, loneliness, and guilt for my sins, the gospel became real to me. I truly saw myself as a burdened sinner in need of rest. I realized that God was not happy with me, and that Christ is the only way to reconciliation with God. I saw myself as filthy and undeserving of His grace. It was at this point where I surrendered my life to Christ, trusting Him as my Lord and Savior.

From that day onward’s, the peace of God flooded my soul. I experienced freedom from the bondage of sin. My life’s pursuit changed to loving God with all of my heart, mind, and strength. Since that day in September 2009, He has been faithful in my life. He has been growing me in loving and knowing Him. Now I am not only secured of going to heaven one day, but I also experience the joy of walking with my Savior in this life, and becoming more and more like Him every day as I prepare to meet Him.