Raised to Walk in Newness of Life
From a young age, Nate (pictured far right) struggled with finding purpose in his life. His family attended church throughout his childhood, but it wasn’t until years later that he felt the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. As he reached adulthood, he left church to search for purpose elsewhere. Tasting of all the world had to offer, he ached for answers to his questions but found only fleeting satisfaction. He shares, “I’m still continuously in awe of how blind I was while telling myself that I could see.”
Throughout his years of searching, Nate reinvented himself a dozen times over. Each new journey, dictating how he presented himself to the world. His identity became a mirror of where he found validation at the time – new age religion, sobriety, relationships, anything to give him purpose. That all came to an end a little over five years ago.
During the pandemic, Nate was unable to attend the various religious centers and recovery meetings where he had become a member. His community was taken away from him, leaving Nate alone with his longing for meaning and fulfillment. The emptiness he’d attempted to satiate within these groups, roared to life with a vengeance.
As he reeled from the loss of this support system, he looked at the life of a close friend. For the year and a half leading up to this moment, his friend consistently told him how he had found wholeness in the arms of Christ. Nate didn’t want to accept that the answer to his searching had been there all along, but he couldn’t deny the great joy he recognized in his friend any longer.
He asked his friend to tell him more about Jesus and made the decision to give his life to Christ. In that moment, Nate’s life radically changed. He shares, “God saw my heart so completely in that moment that it made me lose my balance.”
In the months and years following, Nate continues to dive deeper into his knowledge of God and His Word. With each step, he discovers more of the purpose he has been searching for all these years. His identity can no longer be swayed because it is rooted in the Rock of Ages. Out of darkness, the Holy Spirit lead him into glorious light.
New life is offered to all of us through Jesus. If you have questions about faith or are looking for purpose, we would love to help answer any of your questions. Visit hppres.org/connect to learn more or stop by the Welcome Desk on Sunday mornings to speak with someone in person.
