Before I became a Christian, I was often self-centered and didn’t really think about others. I judged people without getting to know them. I would argue with my parents over little things that didn’t even matter very much. Even though I had always gone to church with my family, I never grasped the true meaning of God’s love. I knew the Bible stories and that Jesus died on the cross, but they were just facts to me. I didn’t start taking God seriously until I got to middle school. In February of 2008, when I was in 7th grade, I was baptized because I wanted to let others know that I wanted to follow God.

Being a Christian, especially at school, is difficult for me. I have a lot of non-Christian friends, and it’s difficult for me to witness, but I believe that God is working in me at getting me to go out of my comfort zone. Also, I have been able to draw closer to God. I can’t believe how much He loves me, a sinner.

I cannot honestly say that I feel my life has made a complete turnaround, but I will continue to trust in God and His plan for me. I choose to be a Christian because God is the only one who can forgive me of my sins. He created me and loves me unconditionally. It is through Jesus and only Jesus that I have been saved. I know that life may be tough, but I have God with me to help me through.