Georgina // 3rd Year // Sociology

Growing up knowing Jesus. I went to church, knew bible stories, and prayed at times. Despite this, I often failed living like a Christian. I placed my identity in other things, church was boring, and I often went to satisfy others and to keep hold onto the chance of heaven. I associated more with culture rather than actually calling myself a Christian.

At the age of 13, I witnessed the Holy Spirit amongst other people at my church. This was life changing – to see people being overcome by joy and comfort was amazing. I knew this joy was not of the world, and I really wanted to experience Christ in this way. I began to see a deeper need for Jesus to be present in my life completely.

I started to investigate how I could build a relationship with Jesus like others. Through this, I realised I was so wrong! A relationship with Jesus is not difficult, boring or rule centred. Jesus makes relationship simple, because it’s all done out of love.

For it says, Romans 5:8 ‘But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us’. This means in my complete imperfection, Jesus took on the weight of every sin, suffered the most painful death, so that we can be set free and spend eternity with him. Forgiveness is so difficult! I certainly have found this hard, however Jesus so freely forgave in the most sacrificial way.

I find it insane how someone so perfect can die, so I can be forgiven and receive grace.

Beyond this, Jesus also rose again!!! This means I have the beauty of serving a living God, who is alive in me.

It’s important for me to mention that when I say I am a Christian, I am not saying I am always living the most perfect way, that I always succeed, and everything falls in place. I simply acknowledge that I need Jesus in my everyday life. When I stumble, he is my guide and when I am weak, he is my strength.

I am certainly not perfect; however, Jesus sees me as worth it and I see his name very worthy of calling upon. Knowing Jesus is so transformative!