Redeemed

Exactly three years ago, I came to my freshman orientation at the University of Texas at Austin.  I was dead set on having the time of my life and doing things that I knew would prove to everyone in my home town that I was not perfect.  So, I spent a majority of the week in fraternity houses with people I hardly knew drinking a lot of alcohol.  I made a ton of decisions I soon regretted and did things I told myself I would never do.  In anger, I broke my reputation with those that looked up to me and ran from God.
After an eight month struggle, I finally returned to God's grace and stopped looking for the approval of other people.  I stopped getting drunk and learned that the Lord cherished who I was in my rawest form.  That even on my lowest nights, sacrificing my integrity, God loved me.  I saw that his love was unconditional and didn't have to be earned.  There were many moments in which I stood in confrontation with God and was forced to accept his love for me and change because of it.  These moments are all stories in themselves and will have to be explored at another time, but what I can say now is this-the All Powerful God has changed my life.
Today, I stood on UT's campus asking incoming freshman at orientation if they wanted to come to a Bible study with me.  Exactly three years ago, going to a Bible study at orientation was the last thing on my mind.  Now, I am completely full of joy at the work God has done in me and I hope to bring others closer to Him as they start college.  Even when I ran from Him, He called me back and has honored me with a chance to be a part of His work in others.  His love is something that I am unable to escape and I am so happy for that.

To those freshman visiting any college's campus this summer, you are valuable to God.  You don't have to sacrifice who you are to make friends or get approval.  The God of EVERYTHING is in love WITH YOU!  Allow Him to love you and know His love is better than anything anyone can offer you.