Everybody has a void in their life, a hole that they try to fill. I tried for several years when I was younger to fill this hole with popularity. I thought, "If I can just be popular, if I can just be cool, part of the 'in' crowd, then I'll be happy and fulfilled." Well, that never happened. I never was popular. In fact, as a kid, I was pretty much a dork. My clothes and haircut were never in style, I was puny, and I couldn't shoot a basketball to save my life. So, my hole remained unfilled. I was still searching for love and acceptance.
I grew up being taught a lot about Christianity and the Bible, so I knew that God loved me and created me to be with Him, but because I'd done bad stuff, I couldn't be with Him. I couldn't know His love. In fact, I deserved to die for those bad things I'd done. But God loved me so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay that penalty for me, to die in my place.
So I knew all these things, but yet it still wasn't having a huge impact in my life. I knew a lot about God, but I didn't know God and didn't have a relationship with Him. Then, I remembered in Junior High I went on a tubing trip with my church youth group. One of the upperclassmen gave a talk on how I could know God and have a personal relationship with Him if I would just accept the free gift of forgiveness He offers and make Him Lord of my life.
That night I made that commitment. I'll tell you what, my life has not been the same since. I mean, I still screw up and do stuff I know I shouldn't. And bad things still happen. My life isn't perfect, but that hole that I had in me has been filled! God has taught me that my love and acceptance is found in Him. And it's so true. If I didn't have another friend in the world, I'd have enough, because I've got God, and He's all I need.
Not only is my love and acceptance found in Him, but my very popularity is found in Him. God thinks I'm cool! He thinks you're cool! He loves your haircut! He loves the way you dress! He loves all your quirks, your talents, and your interests! He created you and He loves everything about you. I used to play church basketball (not well of course), and God never missed a game! He was at every one cheering me on, saying "That's my boy! That's my child whom I love!" God feels the exact same way about you. If I had to describe my relationship with God in one word, it would be "timber!" because I'm falling deeper in love with God every day.
Copyright 2000 Every Student's Choice. Used with permission.
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