Finding my way to Christ

As a girl who spent two years in a catholic school, went to church, and got confirmed you would of said I had a strong connection with God, but in reality it was the opposite. I said what they wanted me to say, I sang what was in the books, and I listened to what they said, but looking back I never really listened to what they said or processed what I was reading. I was following a routine. One that had made me distance myself from God.

When High School came around I would go to Vacation Bible School every summer and volunteer and occasionally youth groups if I had time, but I never really made an effort to go. I saw it as socializing with my friends every week or so and catching up on lost time. I always saw the Young Life group getting together on certain Mondays or doing bible studies other days and I had always wanted to go, but it was always too intimidating. All of them knew all of the stories in the bible and could interpret it with ease (which I know comes with great practice) but I always felt like they would make fun of me for not knowing anything or shut me out because I didn't pray or read the bible every day. Now I know how stupid I must of sounded. It doesn't matter how much you read the bible or how many times a day you pray all that matters is that you have a connection with God. No one else matters besides you and him. No one else can fill the void in your heart like he can, not food, sleeping or even social media. He is there with arms wide open to take you in.

These past few weeks I have really revived my relationship with God and it all started with my sister taking me to City Group that is run by Action Church. At first I was very hesitant. I had a really rough day of not winning an election in school and had bawled my eyes out and shut down. I was resistant, I never felt like he could do anything to "fix" me, I didn't know what to except, and I just wanted to implode. Looking back it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. When I first walked into that house I was greeted with arms wide open, but let me tell you it was very different from my other youth groups. It was different but a very good different. After that day I have been welcomed into the best family of all.

This past Sunday I went for my first ever Sunday service and it is very different from the traditional Catholic Church mass. The songs are way more upbeat, the message is easy to understand and relate to, and it is filled with the most loving and understand people who love Christ just as much as you. It has empowered me to renew my connection with Christ and really put him at the fore front of my life again. Pastor Justin recently said, 

"We don't do city group so kids fall in love with city group we do it so they fall in love with church."

and I think that is perfect, because no matter where you go, whether it is moving for college or for life in general, they teach you to love God and his word, not socializing with friends. 

Since that first day I have become apart of the most supportive family. From Pastor Kyle and Macey Krauss who are always smiling and asking me how my day went to my new friends who can always make me laugh; I have found a new family that fills that void in my heart with Christ. They are a group of people I never want to let go.

xo Christy

#church #actionchurch #family #christ #christianchurch #bible #citygroup