When I was seven years old, my mom and I had to move to America. Although I wasn’t sure what to expect, I imagined a life of comfort, food you have to eat with a fork and a knife, and new exciting things to try out. However, language was a major problem for me for I knew not single word of English when I arrived in America. My parents wanted me to learn English faster and sending me to church was one idea they had. So every Sunday, I was picked up and taken to church. Slowly and surely, going to church soon became a normal part of my life. It was all very routine; every Monday to Friday I had school and on Sunday I had church.
Fast forward to 7th grade, I was now fourteen years old and we had to move again, this time from Ohio to California. Once again, I was unsure how my life would change, but I imagined going to the beach, seeing Hollywood stars on the street, and being surrounded by Palm Trees. Of course my parents found another church for us to attend as a family and I continued going to church as part of my weekly routine.
Although life in California wasn’t exactly what I pictured it to be, yet there was nothing to complain about. I lived very comfortably in a house and did very well in school. I was a good daughter in my eyes; I didn’t rebel and listened to my parents. Everything was very normal and my life looked to be with very little complaints.
Yet, something began to change in my life and this was my church routine. My youth pastor, unlike my other Sunday school teachers, did not just tell bible stories and hand us candy. Instead, he challenged us to read the Bible and think about what it said. He asked us to see if we really believed what was written in the Bible. At first, I just wanted to not listen to him. I was not in need of anything and I felt my life was fine. But as I began to read the Bible and what was written in it. God revealed to me over the years that as comfortable and nice as my life was, I was missing something – this was a relationship with God.
You see, I was living my life on this earth, ignoring and not listening to the very One who Created me. I lived my life as if I was in charge and I did not care to love or listen to the true Lord of this universe. I was a sinner who deserved to be punished and sent to hell because I refused to obey the Judge of this universe. But God, because He is so kind and loving, sent Jesus Christ His Son to die on the cross for me and there is forgiveness for my sin if I turn to Jesus. When God opened my eyes to this truth, He also changed my heart from rebelling against Him to wanting to love Him.
Looking back at my life thus far, I’m thankful to God for each time He made me move because each move was a step closer to knowing Him, my Lord and Savior. Even though my life in America was not exactly what I imagined it to be – yet one thing was right, there was something new and exciting that occurred in my life, becoming a Christian, and that is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Fast forward to 7th grade, I was now fourteen years old and we had to move again, this time from Ohio to California. Once again, I was unsure how my life would change, but I imagined going to the beach, seeing Hollywood stars on the street, and being surrounded by Palm Trees. Of course my parents found another church for us to attend as a family and I continued going to church as part of my weekly routine.
Although life in California wasn’t exactly what I pictured it to be, yet there was nothing to complain about. I lived very comfortably in a house and did very well in school. I was a good daughter in my eyes; I didn’t rebel and listened to my parents. Everything was very normal and my life looked to be with very little complaints.
Yet, something began to change in my life and this was my church routine. My youth pastor, unlike my other Sunday school teachers, did not just tell bible stories and hand us candy. Instead, he challenged us to read the Bible and think about what it said. He asked us to see if we really believed what was written in the Bible. At first, I just wanted to not listen to him. I was not in need of anything and I felt my life was fine. But as I began to read the Bible and what was written in it. God revealed to me over the years that as comfortable and nice as my life was, I was missing something – this was a relationship with God.
You see, I was living my life on this earth, ignoring and not listening to the very One who Created me. I lived my life as if I was in charge and I did not care to love or listen to the true Lord of this universe. I was a sinner who deserved to be punished and sent to hell because I refused to obey the Judge of this universe. But God, because He is so kind and loving, sent Jesus Christ His Son to die on the cross for me and there is forgiveness for my sin if I turn to Jesus. When God opened my eyes to this truth, He also changed my heart from rebelling against Him to wanting to love Him.
Looking back at my life thus far, I’m thankful to God for each time He made me move because each move was a step closer to knowing Him, my Lord and Savior. Even though my life in America was not exactly what I imagined it to be – yet one thing was right, there was something new and exciting that occurred in my life, becoming a Christian, and that is the best thing that has ever happened to me.