Reflecting on My Personal Experience with God

My journey to find God has been the toughest obstacle He’s put in my way. Once upon a time, going to church was just a routine, not something I wanted to do, but rather something I had to do. I could tell you about every Bible story and recite every book from Genesis to revelations, but I didn’t actually have any understanding of it. My personal experience with God was shallow, and I longed for a deeper connection with my faith.

Questioning My Faith in God

After the death of my best friend, I began to question my faith entirely. I lost my faith in God because I was seeking ‘proof’ of his existence. I was mad that He wouldn't let me be happy. The religion I had been following since I could speak didn't make sense to me anymore. I isolated myself from my church friends and family for months, until one day my mother practically dragged me to church. There, I was approached by my youth minister and he was one of the few people to see past my facade- he knew I wasn’t happy. In a short few minutes he explained everything to me, what happened was just a small pitstop in my entire journey in life and faith. I went home with a full heart and a paper that said ‘James 1: 2-4’ in my hand. The minute I got home I prayed, and for the first time, everything I said was meaningful.

Strengthening My Relationship with God

I realized I had finally learned and practiced the concept of ‘faith’. I knew that praying would be the best choice because that little spark inside of my heart trusted in God. I wanted an easy life, but it is seen many times that the Lord will put his followers through difficult obstacles just to see if they have the strength and faith to power through. I was fighting a battle I couldn’t win by myself, I needed His help. Christ is always revealing new parts of me. I’ve learned that the Christian life isn’t perfect; God continues to reveal areas in my life where I need to grow. I’m curious about why other people believe in what they do, learning about their journey to finding God will strengthen my relationship with him.

Pepperdine feels like home to me because I want to continue strengthening my relationship with God. I want to be in an environment where faith can be discussed and displayed freely. I’ve learned that Jesus is always ready and able to be anyone’s savior, all one must do is accept his love. I plan on sharing this knowledge at Pepperdine.

Learning Experience with Faith

Faith is a challenging concept, however, I hope that my story may inspire other students when their faith is being challenged. I know my purpose in life is to spread the word of God. Furthermore, I hope my peers understand that faith is truly what you make of it. No one can force you to believe in something, it is up to you to discover what you believe in. Sometimes, you just need a little guidance to find the right path.