“I always believed in God, but it wasn’t until the past few years that I actually surrendered my whole life to him.
“I grew up with two amazing parents who follow Jesus, love each other well, and really model what it looks like to live for Christ. Christianity was just a normal part of my life.
“Even with that foundation, I learned early on to keep everything inside. I didn’t talk about my emotions, and I internalized everything. By middle school, that caught up with me. I acted like I was fine, but in reality, certain circumstances in my life left me feeling angry, alone, scared, and confused.
“During that time, I looked for satisfaction and comfort in sexual sin. When I moved schools, things didn’t get better. I didn’t have any friends, and I was scared to talk to people. I didn’t feel like anyone genuinely wanted to be my friend, so I pushed people away.
“A few months after I tried alcohol for the first time, everything escalated. I started drinking and vaping more regularly. At first, it was with friends, then I started drinking alone.
“Eventually, I showed up drunk to a school event. When I was called into the office later that week, I owned it. I figured honesty was best. Graciously, the Lord had mercy on me, not giving me the consequences I deserved. But the shame began to creep in.
“I will never forget talking to my dad after that and watching him heartbroken over my choices. He’s the best dad on the planet, and seeing his sadness opened my eyes. I realized this is how my heavenly father feels about my sin, too. Something had to change.
“In January, I joined Re:generation for Students. I knew I wanted to stop what I was doing, but I didn’t know how. Being with guys who were honest about their own struggles changed everything. I finally had people I could open up to without judgment. Confession made my choices more real, but as I learned to confess and repent, I found freedom.
“God began to change me. It started with giving up drinking and smoking. Then sexual sin. Then the way I talked. Then, even my driving, when I decided to stop speeding and start obeying traffic laws. It sounds small, but it was the last thing I was holding back. Now I feel truly surrendered to God. I still mess up, but I really do want to give everything to him and serve him. Not to make my life easier, but as a thank you for what he’s done for me. Romans 5:8 says that ‘while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ Because of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, my life and eternity have changed.
“As I’ve given more to God, I feel freer—like a weight off my chest. As I’ve grown closer to God, I have more peace and joy in everything I do. Even when things are hard, there’s a joy I can’t explain.
“It might sound backwards, but following Jesus and surrendering didn’t restrict me. It gave me freedom.”