God reveals himself to people in different ways. He has shown His love for me in many ways, but I especially see God moving in my life through the communities I am a part of. I was fortunate enough to grow up in the Church. I knew who God was from a very young age and learned the basics as I completed my Christian formation classes and worked toward Confirmation. Although I knew who God was, I did not have a personal relationship with Him. In my junior year of high school, I completed my Confirmation into the Church. After Confirmation, the time I spent with God decreased to virtually zero. I went to church on Sundays, but I did not spend time in prayer or reading my Bible.

During my senior year, my friend invited me to his youth group. I decided to attend and was immediately overwhelmed by the love in the room. Every person there was so eager to welcome me into their community. This was the turning point in my walk with the Lord. I began attending this youth group every week and grew close with a small group of women who lived out their faith in amazing ways. They encouraged me to read my Bible and get to know God personally. I took their advice and began to spend more time with the Lord on my own and learned what it means to have a relationship with Jesus, not just know about Him.

My high school Bible study was so transformative that I entered college seeking a strong Christian community. I was fortunate enough to become involved with Badger Cru, a student ministry, amid the pandemic. I met some of the most godly women I have ever met and had the pleasure of becoming their friend. Each day, they push me closer to God by encouraging me to participate in quiet time with God, holding me accountable, and living out their faith. My faith is strongest when surrounded by a community of fellow believers with whom I can partner to live out our faith as Christians. As I have grown closer to this community, I have become more willing to share my faith with others and share my struggles with my friends. Having strong Christians to lift me when I feel down is such a powerful way I experience God’s love and forgiveness.

God has been faithful in providing strong, Christ-centered relationships in my life to push me closer to Him, and I have faith that He will continue to provide. My walk with the Lord will continue to grow and change as I move into the next stages of my life, but I trust that He will surround me with a strong Christian community to continue to tangibly reveal His love for me.