Society around us constantly informs us that everyone is different. Yet we all have one basic similar need – something to fill the emptiness inside of us. Each of us experiences it at times. Maybe we don’t feel it when we’re out having fun with friends or studying for a big exam, but when we’re alone in bed at night, we get the feeling that there has got to be more to life. There has got to be something missing.
I too have felt this way, and I understand that desire to want something better. That is why I would like to share with you that “missing piece” that can make your life fulfilled!
I grew up in a Christian home, and I was taught all the right things to do in life. I went to church and attended a Christian school, and I had heard many times that all I needed for a fulfilled and peaceful life was to tell Christ I was sorry for my sins and ask Him to save me.
When I was young, I did not quite understand this. All I knew was that I didn’t want to go to hell when I died, because I had heard how awful hell was. So I prayed to God and asked Him to save me, but I wasn’t sorry for my sins. When I grew older and understood the elements of salvation, I inwardly decided that that was too easy. I assumed that God couldn’t save me by Himself – I just knew He needed my help! I began to try to do everything right. I was the smartest student, I was one of the most well behaved, I taught Sunday school, and everyone always told me what a great Christian I was. I told myself that I must be a Christian, because of all of the good things I was doing.
Yet I still didn’t have a peace. I was restless and irritable around my family, because I knew I was missing something. Yet I was too proud to admit that I might not be the “super Christian” that everyone thought I was. I tried to ask God to save me several times, yet I wanted to be saved on my terms. I didn’t want to have to tell anybody, and I still wanted to control my life. I was willing to spend forever in hell rather than admit that I wasn’t a Christian and give control of my life to Christ!
I soon realized that my way wasn’t working, and I began to think that God didn’t want to save me. I was not able to sleep at night, because I knew that if I died in my sleep, I would go to hell. One night I could not put it off any longer. I woke my mom up and told her my problem. She reminded me that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believed on Him would not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).
God wanted me to be saved, and it was my pride that was keeping me from receiving this gift. I simply had to realize that I wasn’t good enough to get myself to heaven. The Bible says that salvation is “…not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:9). At that point, I just gave up. I said, “God, I know I have done wrong things, and I can’t save myself. I need you to save me. I believe that you are God, and you are the only one who can save me. Take my life and fill that empty space.” And you know what? He did!
Christ has changed my life so much since then! He has given me a joy and a desire to do the right things, whereas before I was saved I was just doing the right things because I had to. Such a burden has been lifted from me, and I want everyone else to experience the same thing!
The Bible says that to have this peace and joy, all you must do is ask!
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).
It’s such a simple decision, but it gives everlasting benefits! Won’t you accept Christ’s gift today?
