I was born into a Christian family and have been attending SCCEFC my entire life. At a very young age, during Sunday school, the teachers asked if I would accept Jesus into my heart. Obviously I said yes, but not knowing what that meant. I said yes because everyone else said yes as well. At that age, church was just another place to hang out with friends.

As I grew older and my church friends started to get baptized during junior high, people asked me why I didn’t get baptized. I told them I was not ready. I did not think I did anything remotely close in trying to know who Jesus was. I was just attending church and Sunday school because I had to. I attended youth group because it was another place to meet friends. I’ve had quite a comfortable life and I didn’t have to rely on Jesus for anything. I didn’t have to rely on Jesus until I started getting worried about not getting into university. I was less worried about getting into a university as opposed to getting into a university I wanted. It was at this moment when I first really prayed to God. Praying I would get accepted into a university. The first time feeling so powerless because I’ve done what I can and it is out of my hands. God did answer my prayer and I was accepted into a university that I wanted to attend. Unfortunately, during my time in university, I grew apart from Jesus. I was so caught up in school and putting school as my priority over Jesus.

After I graduated, my next top priority was getting a nice job and starting my career, once again not thinking about Jesus whatsoever. At first I wasn’t too worried, since I just graduated and I was still young. As time went on and I still haven’t had a career yet, I started to get worried again. I started to pray again. Asking Jesus to provide me with a job like he a genie in a bottle. However, this time my prayer was not answered. I was getting desperate because I was getting older and still haven’t started my career. I felt like such a failure as a person and as a son. My parents were worried about me. I truly felt helpless and I had to finally turn to Jesus. I realized that I finally I cannot rely on myself and can only rely on Jesus. Even though I started to finally rely on Jesus, what I wanted did not come quickly. I didn’t fully rely on Jesus at this point. I still had the belief that I can do somethings to improve my chances of getting a job. I can rely on Jesus for a little bit, but ultimately it was up to me to provide me with the best chances to get a job. News Flash, I didn’t get a job. Looking back now, Jesus was probably saying that he could wait until I fully submit. I eventually learned to fully submit and trust Jesus. When I did so, Jesus provided for me. I was able to be hired and start my career just a couple months ago. Jesus used something that was important to me and humbled me with it. I was worried, I was anxious about my life, but I did not need to worry. All I had to do was to turn to Jesus, fully submit and wait for his timing and what he wanted from me.

I can say this now, Jesus, use me in whatever means in order to further your kingdom. I end with this bible verse from Matthew 6:25 and verse 33. Therefore I tell you , do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.