Michael
I grew up in an atheist family. As far as I was concerned, God was not important to me as a child. And yet, even as a child, I had a question to which there is only one bad answer without God: What happens when I die? For me, the thought that I was alive was simply overwhelming. I marvelled at the miracle of life. I was fascinated by the fact that I can think and feel. But the thought of simply ceasing to exist for all eternity was simply terrible for me. I felt so small. Such a short life in an infinite amount of time on a small planet in an infinite universe! But atheism couldn't give me a better answer. For me, death was the unavoidable black hole.
When I was 18 years old, something happened that fundamentally changed my life. A friend invited me to a Christian youth group. I was curious and open-minded. I experienced something there that I had never known before. The young people had such a warm fellowship with each other that I was very attracted to it. Until then, Christianity had not been an option for me. I had even had arguments against the existence of a God before. Faith was something for old people and small children, but not for me. But suddenly I saw intelligent, likeable young people who took their faith seriously and really lived it out. That made me curious. I started reading the Bible and was really gripped. I was particularly fascinated by the Bible's predictions about the future. The Bible contains very specific statements about the future that were written down many centuries before their fulfilment. You can really check that out. I realised that no human being could have such knowledge about the future. That there had to be a God behind it.
I started to pray. The thought that I am not just a number to God, but that he is really interested in what I want to say to him and what I want to ask him for, has totally changed my life. I was able to experience how God responded to my prayers, not always in the way I asked him, but always for my own good. I also started reading the Bible at that time. I found answers that really helped me in life. Also to the question of what happens when a person dies. Fascinating answers! Soon I couldn't imagine any other life than that of a Christian. I can't say exactly when I converted. It wasn't a spectacular experience that I could tick in my diary. It was more of a slow process. But I do know that there were times when I had to decide whether I wanted to continue my walk with Jesus or not. Moments when I looked back and realised: I don't want to go back to my old life! I had experienced too clearly that God loves me personally.
That was many years ago now. There has not been a single day when I have regretted choosing a life with God. He has blessed me so much. Today I am happily married to a woman of faith. It is a privilege for us to be able to raise our children together in faith in God. And I have a peace in my heart that I didn't have before. There is a Bible verse that beautifully describes what I have experienced with God. „These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world you have fear; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.“ (John 16:33) I had this fear too, but God gave me peace in my heart.
