Mia Lanning

From the time I entered this world, I was raised in a Christian home. I grew up with a growing understanding of how to adhere to rules and laws. When I was 8 years old, I gave my life to Jesus when a missionary prayed with me. I was so excited to have a real relationship with Jesus. The issue I began to face was that I had absolutely no idea of what that looked like. 

Rules without relationship lead to rebellion. By the time I had reached high school, that became the road I found myself on. I craved to be accepted by my peers and claiming Christ made me feel separate from them. Little by little, I began to compromise my beliefs and because I had no relationship to stand on, I eventually indulged the sin that was rampant in my life. I idolized my boyfriend at that time and chose to satisfy my flesh and my selfishness. I became someone who gloried in my own strengths and was filled with pride. 

When I arrived at a college campus, I saw a booth for a Christian organization called Chi Alpha. I had already made up my mind that I would no longer try to walk with God and completely give up Christianity. The Holy Spirit urged me to walk up to a girl at that booth named Kristen. In spite of my rebellious heart, I was compelled to ask her about joining her Bible study and becoming her friend. 

Through the time and life I got to share with Kristen, Jesus convicted me of the double life I was leading with going to Bible study, but still entertaining my sin. I came to a point where I could not stand my sin that was separating me from God. I broke up with my boyfriend, repented of my sin, and fully committed my life to Christ. Never in my life had I ever experienced such joy and freedom in my heart. The kindness of Christ lead me to repentance and because of what He did on the cross, I became a new creation in Him. Since that day, He has continued to draw me closer to Him through loss and celebration. He is faithful to finish what He has started.