A Testimony of Change

By H.B. - Ohio

July 1, 2016

I always thought that I was doing well as a member of the Amish church, and that I was on the right road to Heaven. I believed that—even though I spent many hours smoking and drinking with my friends. One of my co-workers once told me that she was praying for me, and I wondered why. I thought that I had things all figured out. I was working hard and making lots of money, getting together with my friends after work, and going to church just to be seen. I did not realize it at the time, but I was trying hard to fill the void in my life and heart.

I was many miles away from home with nobody to tell me what to do, convinced that I was happy and well. Slowly, my friends pushed me away, and I had no idea why. I became homesick and very lonely and felt so far away from everyone and everything that was important to me. I wanted to go home, but I did not have a job there and I did not know how to pray or what to pray for. I was at rock bottom.

A friend whom I had known for many years kept telling me how much Jesus loves me and that there was nothing that I had to do or did not have to do to be saved. When I finally realized that I could do nothing of myself, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.

As I look back, I realize that the choices I made were led by the Lord to get me where He wanted me to be—broken and alone. I praise Him every day for changing my heart and filling it with His joy. His assurance of salvation is the greatest gift that I will ever receive. I am aware of Satan’s presence around me. I choose not to acknowledge him, but to focus on Jesus. If we fill our hearts and minds with Jesus Christ and the things of above, there is no room for evil.

May His peace and His presence fill our hearts and lives!

—H. B.