Being strong seems to be a new societal standard. Life throws you curve balls, but you've got this. You don't need Jesus. You have the weight of the entire world on your shoulders, but you've got this. You don't need Jesus. You have an amazing group of friends who supports you through all of your trials, you've got this. You don't need Jesus.

But why? Why do you try to do this alone? Why don't you cast your fears and anxieties on the creator of this universe? The One who spoke this earth into motion is sitting there waiting for you to come home, but you're pushing Him away because you're strong. The next question is: are you strong? or are you weak? Is your pride getting in the way of the greatest relationship you will ever step into?

That was me. I knew He was there, but I was just fine without Him. I was doing well in school and had a good friend group. I didn't need Jesus. I was strong, I knew how to handle what life threw at me. I had no problem bottling things up. I was a typical high schooler who played sports and made good enough grades to keep my parents happy (most of the time). I looked happy, but I had so many things bottled up that I was hurting, I just coped with it. I didn't need Jesus.

There's a quote by Steve Jobs that says "People don't know what they want until you show it to them". Granted, Steve was talking about creating Apple devices that people didn't know they needed until they saw it. Who knew that you needed a watch to read your text messages? Spy Kids, am I right? We can relate to this because sometimes we are content with having the weight of the world on our shoulders; I know I was. We don't realize the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ until we step into it and see the changes that happen in our lives.

But why? Why would you carry around that hurt when you can give it up to our Savior?

Here's the good news. Jesus Christ came down to earth and lived the perfect life and then died a brutal death on a cross so that we could live. Jesus gave His life to give you yours. He was nailed to the cross for our sins and our salvation. But it didn't stop there. He was placed in a tomb, alone. Guess what? Jesus wasn't done; His perfect love could not be overcome. The tomb couldn't hold Him. The stone was rolled away, and Jesus Christ was resurrected.

I have knowingly sinned against Him, but He still welcomes me with open arms. You have never lost your value to God because of the things you have done. He is a gracious and loving and everlasting father who forgives and saves. But you have to ask for it.

How?

Romans 10:9 says "If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved". How can it be that easy? How can eternal life and happiness be as easy as laying down your pride and admitting that Jesus Christ is Lord? It's not meant to be hard. It's not meant to be a set of rules that you have to obey by. Jesus has given us eternal life, and then we work for it. We don't work so that Jesus will give us eternal life. So please please please don't let your pride and your "strength" get in the way of the greatest relationship you will ever step into.