Growing up in a Christian household, my parents taught me it mattered whom you serve. And they taught me to love and serve God.
As a child and teenager, I faithfully attended church, tithed from money earned from babysitting and weekly chores, prayed before meals and bedtime, and diligently read the Bible. Following my parents’ example, I followed and served God with all my heart.
In my early twenties, however, as I withdrew from my self-created Christian bubble and exposed myself to differing worldviews, I became confused about my beliefs and turned from the Christian walk. Instead of serving Christ, I served myself, filling my life with ungodly pursuits. My health, peace, and well-being suffered as a result. Life felt hollow, and whatever joy I experienced lasted only momentarily.
Several years later, I came to the hard-learned conclusion that life without Christ was a meaningless endeavor. I would never find authentic hope, truth, and purpose in the world or myself. Only through a life submitted to Christ would I be fulfilled. Repenting of the way I had lived, I rededicated my life to Christ. That day, I chose to serve, love, and follow Jesus—not because it mirrored what my parents believed, but because I knew life with Christ was the most fulfilling and meaningful life I could live and would lead to peace, joy, and eternal hope that I could not find in anyone or anything else.
We must choose whom or what we will serve—a decision affecting our thoughts, behavior, and life. Today and every day to come, choose Jesus.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and Tumisu.)
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Emily Marszalek enjoys the simple pleasures in life with her best friend, Nick, and their two Goldendoodles, Charlie and Lucy, in the Pacific Northwest. Her writings have appeared in publications including Angels on Earth, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Listen to Your Dreams, Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Blessings of Christmas, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Kindness Matters, CBN.com, The Lutheran Digest, Refresh Bible Study Magazine, Daily Inspired Life, and Insight.