Worth The Price

I spent nearly 18 years of life as the "goody-two-shoes" of nearly every social circle. So when I enrolled at Florida State University, I figured it was time to break loose and start "having fun," just like everyone else. I ended up coming to the number one party school in the U.S. and it took going down the wrong path to lead me to the right one - with the right leader this time.

My friends had always been the center of my life, and so if one thing was wrong with them, then my life was dreadful. Basically, I ended up placing my happiness in the hands of others, without realizing that no person can make you happy all of the time. I knew that nobody was perfect - but perfection was exactly what I was demanding from myself and those who I cared about.

Relationships all have their ups and downs. That’s what develops them, eventually strengthening some and bringing others to an end. Yet, I was filling my life with empty relationships (such as the superficial bonds forged with my sorority "sisters"), misplaced affection (by thinking that a guy could make me happy), and the partying that the Florida State Seminoles are famous for. I knew there was more to life than what I had, but I was struggling to find it.

One of my friends had invited me to get involved with a Christian organization for several weeks, but I had always turned her down in favor of hanging out with my sorority sisters. At the end of October of my freshman year, though, I started talking to her and one of her friends (also a Christian) about their beliefs.

After a particularly disturbing party, I looked at my life in comparison to theirs. While I kept myself busy with my sorority and parties and developing superficial relationships, they were devoted to Jesus and everything they did was focused around His love and care for them.

In November 1999, I visited their church group for the first time and made the decision that I had been putting off all of my life. That day, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, and decided that I was going to live for Him alone.

That’s not to say that everything suddenly came up roses and life was perfect. In fact, the challenges that I’ve faced since have probably been greater in both number and magnitude than any others I’ve ever faced. However, the basis of my life has changed. Because Jesus is at the center of everything that I think, say, or do, I am able to cope with whatever circumstances that are dealt to me.

With the help of these friends, I’ve had the opportunity to learn so much about His love for me and the world, and I’ve really been able to develop a personal relationship with God. I’ve found a group of people who hold me accountable in my actions, and who spur me on to growth in Him. Also, I’ve had the opportunity to reach out and let others know of the great love that God has for them. Knowing that the love that Christ exhibited for me on the cross has covered all of my mistakes and guaranteed me eternal life with Him has made my life entirely new. I now know that life may not be perfect, but someday I will be in heaven with my Savior, and that makes it all worth the price.

Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?

Living with hope

If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.

If you have a question first, click here