A real God working in real people's lives...

By Grace I'm Free

I spent my teenage years trying to pluck up the courage to go to church on my own, then hovering at the back and running away as soon as it was over. I did the Alpha course when I was 16, but I never fully let God into my life. I went off to University and then moved to London, got wrapped up in other things, occasionally went to church but mostly avoided it as I just felt guilty when I was there. If someone had asked me if I was Christian I would have said ‘yes but a rubbish one’. What does that even mean? I thought God probably existed but what was I prepared to do about it?

But then I did the Alpha course again last year and started to realise that God doesn’t want us to live with guilt or constantly feel like we’re failing. By grace I’m free; I’m certainly not perfect and I still make mistakes but I know that God loves us even when we don’t deserve it. It has made me realise how amazing and perfect God’s grace is – He never gave up on me even though I was giving up on Him. God’s blessings are available to all of us, we only have to reach out and ask.

I’m learning new things every day, and it’s such an exciting journey. I have a completely new perspective on life and it’s the best feeling in the world! I have seen some amazing answers to prayer and I can’t wait to see what God is going to do in all our lives this year.

by Sarah O'Neill from Holy Trinity Brompton - London