“It is only through the mercy of God that I am alive and well today.”

Looking at my life today, I realize that there is nothing I could have ever done to change the person I once was. No matter what I tried, I seemed to get worse until I was lost in depression and anger, feeling so lonely, hopeless, and sad. Then something happened. One day, I came to church and had an encounter with the presence of God. He touched me in such a sweet way. He spoke to me and began to tell me things that nobody else knew about my life. In that moment, I experienced his love in such a way where it began to transform me. God began opening up my eyes to something real, something that was true that I never knew was available—the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

It is only through the mercy of God that I am alive and well today. Like so many, I tried on my own to “change” myself, and I failed over and over. The Bible says there is not one who is righteous—that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:10; 3:23). I am convinced that it is only the Gospel of Jesus Christ that can transform a person. Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…” I’m so thankful to God that He saved me from myself! His truth is what continues to speak into my heart and set me free from my old ways. As I willingly submit myself to God, he takes body, mind, and heart and continues to wash over and cleanse me with his beautiful word. 

“There is nothing more exciting than to know that the power of God is real—it’s tangible…”

Through his kindness, goodness, mercy and love, the Lord continues to allow me to have a personal relationship and I am able to get to know Him and His character in such an intimate way. Sometimes when He speaks a word, He overtakes me by the presence of His Holy Spirit. Over and over, I cannot believe the Creator of the universe has chosen not only to speak to me, but to reveal Himself in such a personal way. And so, my relationship with God is not a momentary experience; it is a lifestyle that I choose to live each day in response to all that God has done. I humbly bow before the almighty God, my King and my Savior, asking, “How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?” (Psalm 116:12) 

This journey with the Lord is incredible for those who believe in Him. It is a powerful, beautiful, joyful work that only God can accomplish and complete inside of our hearts. I see each day as a gift through His Son to come into His presence, to seek Him for His plan and will for my life. Through the Holy Spirit, He continues to demonstrate His mighty power to transform someone like me, into something beautiful for Him so that the glory of His Son, Jesus Christ, can be seen shining through.

One of the most amazing things about the Lord is that He will continue to grow and mold me into His image. His work will never end, it keeps on going because He is eternal, everlasting, and immortal; He is faithful and His love endures forever. There is nothing more exciting than to know that the power of God is real—it’s tangible—and I’m forever grateful that He is in the business of transforming lives like mine continuously for those who believe in Him.