At age 14, after a tumultuous year, I received the Lord as my Savior through a believer who was not much older than I was. I started to read the Bible on my own and pray regularly. My prayer was in a very simple and conversational manner, but was usually about selfish matters. Then I started high school, and other activities quickly occupied my time and the Lord faded into the background.
In college I didn't seek fellowship, and this led to deeper spiritual deadness. I had friends who were Christians, but our relationships were predominately social in nature, not as brothers in the Lord. One by one I saw them fall away from their walk with the Lord, even if they were more serious then I was. Whenever I did seek after the Lord, it was in fact Him seeking to gain me as Isaiah 43:12b says, “Do not fear, because I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.” However, I still didn't seek fellowship.
Outwardly I questioned God's existence, but inwardly I knew He was there. The summer prior to my coming to The University of Texas at Austin, with what little faith I had, I finally considered what the Lord wanted me to do. Through a younger friend and his family I saw how Christ could possibly be part of my life. After this I started praying again to the Lord and was baptized. When I came to Austin the Lord gave me a yearning to meet with other Christians and understand the Bible. Soon after this the Lord, in His sovereignty, literally placed someone in my path. This person was with Christians on Campus and asked if I wanted to meet in a weekly appointment to read the Bible. This matched my need, so I tried it out. Finally, I got to have healthy fellowship about the pure Word of God, which is the source of our faith. Through Christians on Campus and the Bible I have seen how to experience Christ in my daily living, and enjoy Him as my real joy and satisfaction. Praise the Lord, I'm no longer a struggling individual Christian!
J.H.
— Austin
