I want to share a story with you that has absolutely changed my entire life. I am from French Canada, born in the city of Montreal, a beautiful place filled with passion, diversity, art, music, festivals, and a love of world culture. I grew up around much beauty, and yet, simultaneously was exposed to so much evil and darkness - though at a young age I didn't understand it all, I knew it wasn't right and I was left confused. Why is there so much pain and darkness? What is the point of life? My home didn't offer any of the answers I was seeking, but just pointed in the same direction as the rest of the world around me did... Nowhere!
From as far back as I can remember, I had the sense that I was was missing something, something in life just didn't add up. Watching my peers and the adults around me live out their lives seemed purposeless and self-centred, in the end even they didn't have it figured out- they were depressed, suicidal, had miserable home lives, and they didn't have peace! Is life really just about living out your passions, dreams and finding your own definition of success? In that case, I wondered why wasn't anyone actually satisfied? Why did I feel so depressed? Why was I suicidal? What is the point? I was young, but I just knew there had to be more, so I determined to seek out truth.
I sought truth and fulfillment in humanitarian work, animal rights, I went vegetarian, I further pursued creativity and art, thinking that I might find purpose, but nothing satisfied... as I'm sure you can relate: maybe for a moment you feel full, but it is fleeing. I sunk deeper and deeper into confusion, loneliness, and depression. Though I am forever thankful for the difficult times in my life, because this journey lead me ultimately to hear about true life!
I was 14 years old when I first heard the gospel. I walked into a tent where many people gathered and were singing songs to God, and as I looked around and heard the words they were singing, I noticed that they looked so different; they had the peace that I was looking for. I just knew that these people had what I was missing, and I wanted to know the source of it. That night the teacher taught from the Bible, he shared God's plan for redemption with the group; he said that God created the world and that humans chose to disobey Him and turn away from Him. He shared how God loved me, that He sent His only Son to free me from my own $in and disobedience, and from an eternity spent separated from Him - I had no clue! That night by faith I trusted God for my salvation, little did I know how significant that night would be in my life.
When I returned home the first thing I noticed that had changed in me was that I just could not get enough of the Bible! I spent all my free time reading it, thinking about it, and discussing it... In it I learned that:
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God created the world and all that is in it.
(Gen 1:1, John 1:1-3) -
Because of sin I was separated from a right relationship with God.
(Ecc 7:20, Rom 3:23) -
That throughout all of history God had a plan to bring healing and fullness to our broken relationship.
(Gen 3:15, John 3:16, Eph 2:19-22, Eph 2:13) -
That through Jesus my life is now freed for His glory to build His kingdom.
(Mat 6:19-21, Gal 2:20, Eph 2:10, Phil 3:12-14) -
That His grace enables me to obey His Word.
(2 Cor 4:7-10, 2 Cor 5:21, 1 John 1:3-6)
It has been 15 years since the night I first heard the life-changing gospel. I am forever thankful that the truths of the Bible were shared with me. The life I now live is no longer my own, but Jesus lives in me! No longer are my eyes set on things around me or on the darkness but on Him and His Word. I urge you to open the Bible for yourself and seek out truth, your life will never be the same.
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