My life was a mess. My finances were in shambles, my marriage was rocky, and I hated who I had become.
For years, I tried to fix my life on my own. I went to counselors, joined group sessions, and sought advice from mentors. But no matter how much effort I put in, nothing seemed to work. My life felt like an uphill battle, and I couldn’t grasp how to climb out of the mess I’d made for myself.
I was desperate for something—anything—to change. That’s when I decided to try church. It wasn’t because I had a sudden burst of faith or clarity. Honestly, it was because I had nowhere else to turn.
At first, church felt intimidating. I’d always seen it as a place full of people who had it all together. But what I found was something entirely different. The people I met were just like me: broken, searching, and yearning for healing. It was here that I realized the church isn’t a place of perfection—it’s a hospital for broken people just like me
Finding Community
As I began attending regularly, I slowly started to integrate with the congregation. My wife, who had been going to church before me, encouraged me to participate in Bible studies and connect with others. It wasn’t easy at first. Vulnerability isn’t something that comes naturally when you’re used to putting up walls.
But over time, I found friendships and a sense of belonging that I’d never experienced before. These relationships became a cornerstone of my healing. They encouraged me to dig deeper, ask questions, and confront the parts of my life that I’d been avoiding.
A Simple Challenge That Changed Everything
One day, while sitting in a Bible class, someone shared a simple challenge: Read a chapter of the Gospel of Luke every day in December, and by Christmas, you’ll finish the book. At the time, I had never really opened a Bible. The idea intrigued me, so I decided to give it a try.
I downloaded a Bible app on my phone and started reading. I began with the Gospel of Mark because it was the shortest. I thought, I’ll just see how this goes. By the time I finished the first chapter, something had shifted in me. I wanted to read more. One chapter turned into two, then three, and before I knew it, I couldn’t stop. It was as if a light had been turned on, and everything I thought I knew began to transform.
A Life Transformed
As I read, my heart and mind began to change. I started to desire righteousness, not because I felt obligated, but because I genuinely wanted to live differently. I could no longer take the Lord’s name in vain or tell even the smallest lie. My life was no longer my own, and I thanked Jesus Christ for opening my eyes.
This wasn’t just a fleeting moment of inspiration—it was a complete transformation. I realized that seeking Christ isn’t a one-time decision; it’s a journey. And just like the Magi in the Christmas story, I had to take steps to follow the light and discover the truth for myself.
The Journey Continues
Wherever you are in your life, I want you to know this: Transformation is possible. It starts with seeking. For me, that meant showing up at church, even when it felt uncomfortable. It meant joining a community, even when I felt like an outsider. And it meant opening the Bible, even when I wasn’t sure I’d understand it.
Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). These words are true. When we seek Him, we find Him. And when we find Him, our lives are never the same.
What Are You Seeking?
If you’re reading this and feeling stuck in your own mess, I want to ask you: What are you seeking? What’s the next step you can take to draw closer to God? Maybe it’s attending a church service, joining a Bible study, or simply opening the Bible for yourself.
Wherever you start, know this: God is waiting for you. He’s ready to meet you in your brokenness and lead you into a life of healing, hope, and transformation. All you have to do is take the first step.
My brother, thank you for the courage to share. It is being vulnerable and sharing stories like these that draw people to Christ. Whatever we have been through is so that we can have a story to tell.