Sometimes I get asked why I follow Jesus, why I am a Christian. There are so many reasons for me to believe. Let me share three.

• Too often, I feel like I don’t belong. Do you know what I mean? I don’t belong with that group or in this place. Before I went “all in” with God, I was clueless as to why I was put on this earth. I would think that I had figured it all out, then something would happen and I would be knocked down. But, when I began following God, I knew exactly why I was born and why I am here; there is a plan for me and my future. I have no doubts and no questions. Curious? I can share more.
• Shame is a horrible companion. When I told Jesus what I had done in my life, my heart, He said that He already knew and that He would forgive me. The shame, the guilt were erased from His memory; there is no punishment from my Heavenly Father for those things He has forgiven me for. Me, on the other hand, I have to work at my own memories. Now, when I mess up or when I sin, I turn to God immediately and He forgives and gives me His wisdom. Yes, I have had to make things right with others (warm crow is always easier than cold crow!), confessing to someone what I had done, paying a debt. It is never easy. But doing what He directs me to do in asking for forgiveness or paying the bill is sooooo much better than carrying that burden of guilt and shame and the truth that when I am sinning Heaven is no longer my destiny. I am so very thankful for His forgiveness.
• I experience true joy nearly every day. (Yes, there are days of sorrow that hide the joy that is available to me.) Joy and the contentment that accompanies it are better than anything. I no longer experience those highs and lows that come from the activities or chaos of the moment. And it isn’t that I am just getting older and boring (though many would say that that is also happening), I have a deep peace and true joy that come from the One who made me and Who gives me purpose every single day.

So, why am I a follower of Jesus? Because it is the only way to live in this world that is filled with uncertainty, with shame, guilt, fear, and chaos. I follow Jesus because He forgave my deepest failures and He protects me from the storms that rage around me. He is my Savior – daily.

I am His and He is mine. The Creator of Heaven and earth knows me by name and leads me today and tomorrow.

Want to learn more? I’m here for you.

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17)