Martha
Martha is a graduate student at UNB from South America.
Experiencing the Gospel requires that we realize that we can't do anything to make God accept us. He has done everything for us through His son, Jesus.
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." ~ Isaiah 53:5
I was born in Quito, Ecuador on June 3rd of 1983. I was brought up in a catholic home, and because of that I learned about God, and in some way to believe in Him. My Father had read the Bible in his youth and he used to tell me Bible stories all the time. My curiosity about God grew within me every time I heard a story of how He would do what would seem impossible to men.
When I was seven years old my family and I moved to Puerto Rico. God was real to me, and so were His judgments. I knew that after I died, if I wanted to be in heaven, I had to be found acceptable in the eyes of a Holy and Just God. Unfortunately, my teachers didn't know about God's grace, and so I was told to follow the commandments and confess regularly. As I became older this bothered me. I was never at peace and was always wondering if I had confessed everything. What would happen if I committed a sin right after confession and then died? What then? I wish I had been concerned enough to look in God's word for answers.
After I turned 14, I went back to Ecuador and lived with my aunt and uncle until I graduated from high school. The rules at home changed, and I was allowed to go out and have "fun". As I discovered these new things that the world had to offer me, I completely forgot about God. I would pray occaisionally - if I wasn't tired enough after my long night of partying and sometimes drinking.
When I graduated from high school, I applied for university and I moved to Canada. It wasn't until I got out of my usual lifestyle that I noticed how empty my life was. I had always longed for a relationship that would last forever, with someone that would never leave me, that would always forgive me, and would love me with all his heart. I met a really good guy, but it didn't work out and my life was still empty. What I needed was something that only God could give. I went to church a couple of times to feel better when I felt guilty for not caring about God, but it never went beyond that.
It had been two and a half years since I moved to Canada and all of the sudden I was lonely again. At the same time I found out that my Dad had leukemia. Everything was collapsing around me. I had nightmares every night in which all I could feel was a darkness all over me. I tried to follow the commandments and be a better person, but sin had power over me. I failed miserably every single time. I kept having these nightmares, and all of the sudden it hit me that even though I had not killed anyone it didn't make a difference. I was not clean before a holy God. That night, I gave up trying. I needed God so bad. I don't know how I dared to ask Him to save me. All I knew was that sin was all over me - I had realized that I was lost. I didn't even know that there was salvation but I knew that, if there was a solution, only God could show me. He heard me that night. He had been waiting all those years for me to sincerely call for Him, to invite Him into my life.
Some weeks after, I heard the Gospel through a friend. Yes, I had heard that Jesus had died on the cross but I didn't know why. When I heard that He had paid for my sins on that cross, I could not believe I had completely missed the point all those years. He died for me and all I needed to say was "Thank you Lord". I accepted Him as my Saviour and the Lord of my life. He took me as I was, and now I follow Him. He truly saved me. Not only from a deserving hell, but gave me a true and meaningful life from that very moment.
He is the only one that can fill the emptiness of your heart, and He will never walk away from you because He loves you with such a great love that surpasses knowledge. Ask Him to show you the true meaning of life...tonight! People like to think that God will be merciful when we are judged, but He has already been merciful by giving His own life for us. Jesus said that HE is the WAY the Truth and the Life, and that NOBODY will come to the Father but through HIM. Life is so short, and before you know it you will be standing before God with either your sins forgiven by the blood of His Son, or with a debt to pay. At the end, it is your choice. Choose life in Him!
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." ~ Romans 5:8
"And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" ~ John 17:3
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." ~ John 5:24