If Jesus isn’t real and He isn’t coming back someday, my faith and obedience help me become a better person. I do believe what He says in His word will come to fruition, and that He will come back. I am eager to hear Him say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ I pray often for many people’s circumstances to change, for them to be blessed, and for their salvation. I also pray and ask God to help me do what He wants and to be more like Him. I have to remember daily that if someone isn’t a believer they can’t understand the thing’s of God. We cant force them to accept or obey the things of God. Only if He changes their hearts and minds. Then they will be willing and able to make those decisions. I cannot boast because I did not make the right decision on my own, and I am not better than anyone. I believe you cannot choose to follow God unless He first changes your heart to desire Him. John 6:44 says, ‘No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.’ Titus 3:5 says, ‘He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.’

In John 15:16, Jesus says to His disciples, ‘You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you.’ I did not choose Him, but He chose me. He changed my heart and mind. Then I decided to believe and live for Him once I realized I am a sinner who falls short every day and needed His perfect sacrifice. Not because I was worthy, but because of His great love for me and His saving grace. It broke me, and I surrendered my life because I was humbled and grateful. I truly love Him. I can’t really explain it, but my heart changed towards the things of God.

I started wanting to read the Bible to understand more about Him. I always thought it was boring, but now I love it. I came to the understanding that I cannot do life on my own; I need Him. I still can be too critical sometimes. Having been through a lot of trauma in my life, I get triggered easily and become angry and mean. I also struggle with pride, comparison, self-control, and self-righteousness. I can be very kind and loving also. Sometimes it is because I want to look good and make people do what I want. Sometimes it’s truly out of love and to bless someone. I will never be perfect, because even as a Christian, no one can be; only Jesus can. But thankfully I have His forgiveness and help on maturing me.

He is the only one who is truly faithful. All humans will fail us. But He can and will do the impossible. He can change anyone by His Holy Spirit. These are by far some of my favorite passages in the Bible because they show my faith was inspired (GOD breathed) by grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.’ It states that salvation is by grace through faith, and this faith is a gift from God, not from human works.

Romans 10:17 teaches that faith comes from hearing the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says all Scripture is ‘God-breathed,’ and John 6:44 says that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them. Romans 8:28-35 says, ‘And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?’

Thank you, Jesus, for saving me, continuing to change me, and helping me do what you want. Please inspire my friends and family to believe in and follow you. Help us fellow believers earnestly follow after you and to love those who don’t. To not look down on anyone but look up to the only one who can change them and save then. All for your glory. Amen.