*Katelyn Collin

For most people their salvation story involves a specific place, time, or event. I was not introduced to this idea until much later in my Christian walk. As a child I cannot think of a time where I wasn’t close with Jesus. I was a very anxious child and early on my parents explained to me that when you felt nervous, scared, or uncomfortable to pray and talk to Jesus about it. If you know me, I have always been a rule follower and so I took that to heart. I prayed all the time and Jesus comforted me. The idea that Jesus died for me and would take care of me was what got me through the day. When I became a teenager I made tons of friends that had “salvation stories.” This seemed like a wonderful thing, but I was very confused as to why I had never experienced this. Growing up I had always heard just “ accept Jesus into your heart.” I had done that right? All these doubtful questions began to fill my mind. The anxiety started to overcome me. I began praying over and over asking Jesus into my heart and asking God, “Am I saved? Do I have salvation? Am I going to heaven?” It sounds very silly now, but for me this was a turning point in my life. As the tears rolled, I cried myself to sleep that night. I had lost all hope and I felt defeated. That night I unexpectedly had the most peaceful rest and I had a dream that I was surrounded with clouds and warmth. I felt new and calm. Suddenly a hand reached out of the cloud and gripped my hand tightly and I heard a loud voice say, “Hello Best Friend.” From this moment forward I had NO DOUBT in my salvation and no doubt in God’s power. If you are struggling with your salvation, talk to God about it. Get angry if you have to, but let Him reveal to you that YOU ARE HIS.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 1 Corinthians 5:17 ESV