This is a very brief account of why I love God. Growing up, I never saw a
need for God. My life was sorted, I knew vaguely what I was doing and
seemed to have it under control. I was happy, I thought. However I heard
someone preach on a passage of the Bible which really turned my world
upside down – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
(Romans 3:23). That meant me – I was included in the “all” part. I was
gutted, I mean I hadn’t really thought about being on God’s level before
but I hadn’t realised that I was totally separated from Him either. I also
learnt that, “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:23) So because I didn’t reach God’s
standard I deserved death – didn’t really want that if I’m honest; however
I realised that God had given me salvation by recognising Jesus Christ as Lord.
Now, I like to think I’m a logical person and to me it made sense –
eternal punishment or eternal life with God…I knew which I preferred and
decided that I would commit my life to honouring God. It’s been the best
decision ever, it’s not easy all the time but I am confident and secure
knowing that there is a God who loves me unconditionally all the time – He
is, quite literally, AWESOME.
Naomi Allen
3rd Year, International Politics
Every story has a beginning, and an end. If you’re lucky, your end will be
good. As a Christian, I’ve been truly blessed. In the past, I raged
against God, and I hated Him for taking my mum before her time. But what
I’ve learned as a Christian is this: everything happens for a reason. I
believe in prayer, I believe in its saving power, because the first time I
truly prayed, and wanted to find God, for His sake rather than mine, He
sent His Spirit down to change my heart. At the time of writing this, I’ve
been a Christian for perhaps six months. He is incredibly faithful,
despite our failures. Our sin creates a world where bad things happen,
where people die young, where people suffer – we can’t change the world
without praying to God, but there’s nothing we can’t achieve if we believe
in God, and what His son Jesus did for us. The story doesn’t end with His
sacrifice though – He protects us, and we grow with Him, and He changes
hearts, like mine. We’re not lucky to have a god like Him, we’re blessed –
because He loves us, and He wants to forgive us all.
Rob Jones
3rd Year, History
I have believed in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour since around the
age of 13, but since then God has worked in my life in such powerful ways
that I cannot possibly deny his existence. A few years ago I suffered from
severe insecurities and self hatred. I stopped eating and became
anorexic to the point of nearly being admitted to hospital. I went through
some really tough times at home; my parents care for me turned into anger
at what I was doing to myself. I saw so many counsellors and doctors but
the thought of putting on weight made me feel sick. I lost a lot of hair
and there were other medical problems which caused a lot of upset and fear
in me. Slowly, through a lot of prayer and a clear direction of what God
wanted me to be doing with my life things began to change. I have had to
constantly turn to God to give me the strength to accept myself, to put on
weight and stop being so resentful and jealous of others. My self-confidence,
along with my strength in and knowledge of my Lord has grown so much.
Life isn’t perfect but I have a God who has promised to always be with me.
Sarah White
2nd Year, Art