I grew up going to church, and while I heard the stories of God and Jesus, what really stuck was the rules I felt I needed to follow to be a Christian. I thought I was a really good rule follower and delighted in helping my twin sister follow the rules too. In high school, the youth pastor encouraged us to more regularly read the Bible. God’s word made it clear to me that my rule following wasn’t enough to cover my sins. Only through Jesus—the son of God, who lived the perfect life, dying the death I deserved on the cross—would my sin be covered. God continued to work in my life, calling me to love his Word and grow in my knowledge of him. God has shown me that He does not leave me or forsake me in times of trouble or distress, and that pursuing Him is more worthwhile than the things of the world. I continue to grow in my knowledge of the surpassing power of God and need the daily reminder of redemption and restoration through Jesus who meets all my needs.