Julie Arduini

There are many surrender experiences I share on this site. The biggest one of all was asking Jesus Christ to be Lord of my life. That sounds formal, religious, and uptight. If you know me at all, you know I’m none of those things. Simply put, I asked Jesus to be my best friend.

The surrender was putting the mask down I’d been hiding under for so long.

I was acknowledging to God, my heavenly Father who has arms open wide to receive us, that I messed up. A lot. I was tired of trying to fix things on my own strength, and I was depressed striving to be perfect so someone, anyone, would think I was enough.

Truth is, in God’s eyes, I was enough all along.

You are, too.

You’re so loved that this heavenly Father sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to live on Earth as man. For the sins I choose on a daily, sometimes hourly basis, Jesus had none. Yet, He accepted punishment for all my sins, yours, Mother Theresa’s, Ted Bundy’s, and anyone else who asked Him for forgiveness.

It’s the ultimate surrender, and the least I could do was ask Him into my life.

And tell you about Him.

With Him in your life, you have as much power as Christ did on Resurrection Sunday when He bust out of the tomb. Every day. You also have the Holy Spirit, who gets a bum rap filled with fear and disdain. He’s your teacher, coach, cheerleader, encourager, and counselor. When I’m ready to say that nasty reply, He’s that gentle whisper that calls me darling and suggests I stay quiet.  The times I’m running late and angry, He reminds me that I’m not late, but being kept for divine purpose. Sometimes for my safety, other times to meet with someone and have a conversation I otherwise would not have had.

Is my life perfect with Jesus? No, but He is.

I cry, I still make mistakes, and I deal with stuff just like anyone. But I have a peace that truly is without definition, and a joy that makes me laugh in the toughest of circumstances. I get I’m not only Jesus’ friend, I’m God’s daughter, and a beloved, royal one at that.

For a chubby girl who is famous for running straight to the candy cupboard at the first sign of stress, that’s a pretty awesome thing.

God is an awesome God, and He wants you to know His equally amazing Son.

This is my first picture after asking Jesus into my life. Notice the glow?

You know, there is a writer out there who can do a much better job of showing you the way. Curious? Please read what the Billy Graham Evangelical Association and Jesus. net have to say. If you have questions or asked Jesus to be your friend, please contact me. I’d love to cyber-celebrate this precious moment with you.