Dealing with Death and Spirituality:
I knew that God in some form must exist, but I did not understand my relationship to it. To me he always seemed distant and remote, sitting up there high in the sky, watching everyone.
Realizing that God became a real and tangible person through Jesus Christ has made a huge difference in my life.
It was my friend Rolf who introduced me to God. Rolf was someone I didn't know well, and had even made fun of in the past. He invited me to a Franklin Graham event in Niagara Falls, where I heard about God's love for me. I was 15 at the time.
As Rolf and I became better friends, I starting going to a local youth group. It was here one night where I made the decision to surrender my life to Jesus. I didn't completely understand what it meant but I took the step trusting that God would show me increasingly how to let him direct my life.
Jesus became real to me through my relationship with my father. My dad had ALS and a short temper. He pressured me to perform. Many times I would ask God whether my dad would come to trust his life to Jesus, as I had done. But I knew that I had to persevere and let God take control of my life. My faith was shaken the year my father died. My family grew closer, and I learned to trust God more.
God has taught me to not worry about being successful because he has said he will provide for me. I know I am his child and there is nothing that I can do to make him love me more or less. He's has also taught me to empathize with others when they face challenges in their lives. Before my dad died, he noticed the difference in my life and was proud of how I had changed. I have seen God dramatically change my family and help us learn to love Him more.
The spiritual aspect of life is often overlooked. Students need to realize our bodies eventually degenerate and die. Whether or not our spirit continues to exist is a significant question and one worthy of pursuit.
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