I’ve come to learn that we are our own worst critics in life. We see ourselves differently than the way our friends and families see us. I tend to be hard on myself — this is a skill I have mastered growing up throughout the years. Uncovering countless flaws in myself, whether it was physically, academically, socially or even spiritually, and there hasn’t been a rock that I haven’t overturned. I saw flaws in everything I was and in everything I did — my image, high school sports, grades, my relationships with my friend and family and my relationship with Jesus Christ. I saw this as a way to improve and do better in all aspects of my life.

My constant self-critique and negativity kept me hopeful for a brighter and happier future, a life where I wasn’t constantly sulking in everything that I was doing wrong. But, after awhile, this list became too long to keep up with, it was emotionally draining. It was exhausting reminding myself of all the things that I have done wrong and things that hadn’t changed. The light at the end of the tunnel seemed non-existent. I was defeated, I was miserable, I was unhappy. Until I learned about the power of God’s grace and why I believe everyone needs it in his or her own life.

Who knew leaving sweet home Indiana and coming down to College Station, Texas to be apart of the fighting Texas Aggies could change my life for the better. Going to college was the biggest wake-up call for me. College is different. College is scary at times. It's new, it’s hard and it’s a life-altering transition with an enormous sense of freedom and responsibility. I quickly came to learn that I could not keep living life without Jesus. College has transformed me and showed the power of God’s grace and how I cannot go a day in this crazy world without it.

We were all born into sin and are surrounded by it every day. It’s only a matter of time before we fall short of perfection and fail miserably once again. But what is so important to understand is that it’s OK, and here’s why. The Lord shows us grace, He forgives us and He accepts us for who we are because we are made in the image of God. Christ relentlessly loves and forgives us when we least deserve it. The power in understanding this concept was so breathtakingly powerful for me, personally. God will never stop chasing after our hearts, no matter what we do. I owe my life to Jesus Christ because of His constant love and pursuit of me. I was obsessed with my imperfections, my flaws and my failures. This is still a daily battle, but because of God’s grace, my life has transformed for the better in so many ways.

When you allow God to have complete control of your life, it’s incredible to see how He can use it to further His kingdom. I’ve personally seen as my relationship with Him becomes strong, all of my materialistic and temporary worries fade to blur and become unimportant. When I find my identity in Him, I find contentment, fulfillment and pure joy. When we allow God into our lives, He shows us the beauty in our imperfections. Grace means to get something you do not deserve, unmerited favor, forgiveness and acceptance. My relationship with God has been my saving grace, and I owe everything in my life to Him.

How do we accept God’s grace? Everyone deserves His grace, everyone deserves the opportunity to experience God’s endless love and compassion. To experience his relentless pursuit of our imperfect and broken hearts is unlike anything before. Give him the opportunity to show you how He can change your life forever and let Him show you the true potential He has planned for your life. The power of God’s Grace has revolutionized my life and He has the power to change other’s lives as well. When we fall short, we must allow God to pick us back up and walk along side us, because a life without Him is nothing compared to the life we can have with Him.