My Testimony

My whole life revolved around working for love and acceptance from people, and I never felt good enough or that I could do enough to earn the love I desired.

I remember wanting my Dad to tell me that he was proud of me and that he loved me, so I worked as hard as I could in school to get straight A's and to be accomplished in extra curricular activities. I never wanted to disappoint him, so I did everything and anything he wanted me to do. Because of the way he was raised, he never could show emotion or say, "I am proud of you," or "I love you." So I just kept working harder and striving stronger, hoping that I would hear those words one day, but I never did.

The first time I went to church as an adult, I heard that Jesus died for my sins. I learned that I cannot be perfect, so in order to have a relationship with God, I needed to believe that Jesus (who lived a perfect, sinless life) died for me, was buried, and rose again and that I can be with him for all eternity when I die. Because of what Jesus did for me on the Cross, I have God's unconditional love and acceptance.

I learned that God accepts me as I am and loves me no matter what!!!

Now, I don't have to earn anyone's and especially not God's love! I am content with who I am, my new life is found in who God says I am not in what I do. I am free to live a life apart from striving to be perfect! This new life gives me peace and self esteem based on what Jesus did for me on the cross, not for anything that I did to earn it.

I know that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin and the sin of the world. I know that Jesus' death in my place bridged the gap between a holy God, who cannot tolerate sin, and sinful man who cannot be good enough to earn eternal life.