I grew up in a home where belief in God and living a moral life were very important. My parents were active in teaching us about God, and I regularly attended times of worship and learning. As a child, I remember being in a study group where I realized for the first time that some of the other children had made a personal decision to follow God in a deeper way. I wanted that too.
With a simple, childlike trust, I told God that I wanted to turn away from my wrong actions and follow the path He wanted for me. I believed the message I had learned—that Jesus the Messiah came from God, lived a pure life, died for my sins, and that God raised Him from the dead.
When I was a teenager, I began to understand that following God was not just about rules or traditions—it was about having a personal relationship with Him. I learned to speak to Him in prayer and listen for His guidance in my life.
Even during difficult times, like the death of my parents, I experienced peace and hope. I have learned that outward religion alone can leave a person feeling empty, but knowing God personally through Jesus the Messiah has given my life meaning, direction, and true hope for the future.
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