To live is Christ and to die is gian

 I believe in a life that is pleasing to The Lord.
 The main reason that I live my life the way Christ teaches is because I have faith in Him that He will intercede for me to the Father.
   I live my life for things that are eternal; not things that bring no real reward. My reward is in Christ. I put all my hope and faith in Him and He never disappoints. So many times in my life I have heard, or witnessed something happening that I knew was from God. Good things, miracles, prayer.
   Prayer is huge in my life because it has never let me down. I enjoy my time with God where I can talk to Him and the amazing thing is that He listens! Since I live for Christ, my prayer requests are only things that can bring Him glory. I pray for salvations, for life changes, and for happiness to all people. I love that God has changed my heart to reflect what He wants it to be. I no longer want things that benefit myself, but rather things that can help others. I love showing grace to others! I recently read a book that taught me how important it is to love on others and show love to them in every way possible. After all, love is from God. So you are showing them God and they don't even realize it! It is all part of becoming more like Christ. Jesus loved everyone; even the people who killed Him. Trying to grasp the love of Christ is hard for me, but I think I am getting the sense. Only the love of God could enable someone to die for the sins of mankind.

Growing up in a Christian home was a blessing. My family attended church every Sunday. In elementary school, both my brother and I were saved and baptized. Although it seemed like God was present in my life, I did not know what it meant to be a real follower of Christ. This is my story on how that changed for the better.

            This all changed when I signed up for a Christian basketball camp through my church. I only wanted to go so I could improve my basketball skills because back then, basketball was everything to me. After going my first year, I saw what it looked like to be a Christian, but I did not have enough courage to give God every aspect of my life. The next year was different. After hearing testimonies one night, God brought me to my knees. These young adults whom I looked up to were telling me about their success stories after chasing Christ whole-heartedly. At the time, I was in a sinful relationship but I decided to cut it off and pursue God fully. This was when I decided to live for Jesus.

            I could not have done this alone. One of the coaches there was someone I looked up to and he further showed me how to live as a Christian. This part of my life was full of joy, peace, and love. I felt free from my former shame. Then out of nowhere I noticed this guy at school. I had never thought about him twice even though I knew he liked me. And I knew exactly what would happen if I were to contact him.

            After that relationship, I felt lost and alone. I had made that guy my whole life and the consequences were unbearable. Looking for answers I confided in an old friend. This was another mistake. This time, the guy was not religious at all and a “free spirit.” I would do anything to make this guy love me, while he found his satisfaction in drinking and partying. Luckily I went to Myrtle Beach with some Christians for two months. Being around people who were pursuing Christ in every aspect of their lives gave me the courage to break things off with that guy.

            I believe that as Christians, we are to live a life worthy of our calling and God has called me to give Him my life. Being selfish with my own life has taught me that I do not make the best decisions. I am sinful and my mind is quick to defend my feelings. After you make a mistake you say, “Oh, I’ll never do that again!” But then you listen to your heart instead of your head.

            Even though I have made these mistakes, I do not regret them because then they would have control over me. I live in the knowledge that no matter what mistake I make, God sees me through His son. I am completely clean through Christ. I no longer see myself as a sinner, but rather a saint that has received grace.

   Life is too short to worry about something that can’t be changed. It is a gift from God. The only purpose of my life is to bring Him glory. He is my rock, redeemer, friend, and Lord. After all, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain,” Philippians 1:21.