Colin
Colin
“
Becoming a Christian has been a life-changing experience.
I was not brought up in a church-going family. My father died when I was only 8 years of age, this changed me, making me independent and self-sufficient. By the time I was a teenager, I thought church services were boring and irrelevant. This only changed when some Christian musicians made a short visit to my school and amazed me by speaking about Jesus as a friend who would never let them down. I remember how one of them lost a precious ring and, after praying, found it. I was impressed by their attractive peace and gentleness I’d not seen before. My interested was kindled, but when they left, I forgot about them.
It wasn’t until I was in my early twenties and a business student at university that I met Christians again (one of whom later became my wife!). At first, I was sceptical and had questions that needed answering, so declined their invitations to church. It helped to learn that mainstream Christianity encouraged questioning enquiry. I got many of the answers I was looking for, but other issues got in the way- particularly my fear I wasn’t good enough, and that God couldn’t care for me. These doubts made me reluctant to commit myself and it is probable I would have remained that way forever. However, something changed inside me. I became convinced that Jesus and His love were real. Jesus’ death on the cross now moved me and I felt His sacrifice personally. This change of heart I can only describe as supernatural, an answer to prayer.
Becoming a Christian has been a life-changing experience affecting all aspects of my life (behaviour, attitudes, and relationships). Believing in God has given me purpose, a new direction for life, and meaning in prayer. I remember a time I was unexpectedly given notice at work. A worrying time as I had a wife and two little children. But I prayed and before the end of the day I had a phone call with a job offer! There have been other times prayer turned circumstances around.
Looking back on my life I say with confidence, God is in control of whatever circumstances we go through. The Bible says God will never leave us or forsake us. However bad the world news, we need not despair if we know God is there and with us through whatever we face. I would encourage anyone to reach out to God and ask Him for help and to give you peace. You will never regret it.