Since I was a child and for many years afterward, I believed in God. I would call myself a Christian, but I don’t think I really was. But one afternoon, in the library of my college campus, I found myself giving up my own life. Surrounded by books and the hustle and bustle of college students, I found myself mentally in a completely different zone than everyone else. I sat there and prayed. I asked God to save me and change me. I told Him I believed His son Jesus died for my sins and that I wanted to walk with Him in my life from that moment on. I repented and didn’t want to live on my own terms anymore.
My life didn’t drastically change right away from what I remember. I can remember questioning what was wrong or unbiblical with certain things in my lifestyle, like the music I would listen to. I didn’t even like worship music. However, as time passed, I noticed how God ever so subtly and gently would change my preferences. He was softening my heart and I was becoming more sensitive to his ways. I started to notice and resonate with Christian songs. I started to really like them and prefer them. First it started out with songs in Spanish. My song was Arrebato by Nancy Amancio. It really spoke to my life at that time. Then I started hearing and noticing English songs that I really liked. Before you know it, I was downloading them onto my iPod and that’s all I would listen to. Now today I know so many worship songs, that’s all I sing all day, my son even chimes in and sings with me. It’s amazing how God changes your desires and ways over time. God began to change me into a new creation that day on my college campus. I just didn’t see it right away. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17
My life didn’t become easy. I was actually going through some tests and trials that were pretty difficult. But, I had Him to cry out to, and He gave me peace to keep moving forward. As time passed, God began to bring Christian resources into my life, like a radio station, Christian influencers on social media and books. I even began to see a difference when reading the Bible. Initially, I thought the Bible was hard to understand and just felt clueless as to what the message was. I began to pray before reading and asked God to teach me His word, since He is the greatest teacher. As I continued to grow, I began to see the difference of what actually having the Holy Spirit in my life can do when reading Gods word. He has been patient with me and my growth.
Tips to Help You Grow in Your Walk as a New Believer
- Read your Bible! Remember that is the ultimate way to hear from God and grow in your faith. The Bible is His word and it is living! Choose a Bible that is easier to read and learn from. I recommend the Tyndale NLT Illustrated Study Bible and a Bible dictionary for word studies.
- Listen to worship music! We were created to worship our Lord, so sing to Him, no matter how bad you sound. I love to set the atmosphere by playing worship songs! Some of my atmosphere setting jams are from Bethel and Elevation worship.
- Find a church home and some like-minded Christian friends (Hebrews 10:25). We should surround ourselves with people who can help hold us accountable in our walk.
- Be intentional about spending time with God! Make sure you have time to be alone with him! I recommend having a journal or notebook handy to write down what you may have learned or scriptures that were illuminated while spending time with God.
- Pray, pray, pray! Prayer with God should be like a conversation with a close friend or loved one. Just talk to God, pour your heart out to Him. I also like to pray using scripture. For example, I might say to God, “Lord help me to be like the tree planted by the water, whose leaves do not wither. Help me to prosper in all I do (Jeremiah 17:8).” “Lord remind me to not be afraid or discouraged because you are with me wherever I go” (Joshua 1:9).
- Try doing a fast. Fasting can be from anything, it doesn’t have to be just from food. I personally like to do a fast from social media because I find that most distracting and time consuming in my life.
I encourage you to not get discouraged in your walk when you decide to give up your own life. Be patient with yourself because God will be patient with you. He will slowly transform your heart and mind as you continue alongside Him. Remind yourself that repentance is going to be needed daily and that the Holy Spirit will grace us daily. Keep seeking Him and you will grow. Remember you never see the fruit the day that the seed is planted. You have to nourish it and allow it time to grow. So, do the same thing for yourself, nourish yourself and watch how you will flourish!
