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Since Jesus set me free, I no longer walk alone
In brief
Pascal shares the peace and joy he has found in Jesus after being freed from his addictions. He also describes the inner transformation he experienced after his baptism and his trust in God, present each day through the Holy Spirit.
Since Jesus set me free from my addictions and became part of my life, everything has changed. A peace has settled within me, a peace that never leaves me. Today, getting up each morning is a joy. My first thought turns to him, and so does my last thought of the day.
Every day is an opportunity to draw closer to him, to get to know him and to love him more. Jesus saved me, and it is this encounter that I want to share.
A peace rooted in the Father’s love
I connect this peace with the love of God that I have welcomed into my life. A love he offers to us all, and that I discover more deeply as I walk with him.
Jesus says: “I leave you peace; I give you my peace.” — John 14:27, excerpt.
And Romans 5:5 teaches us that God’s love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. These words echo what I experience: a presence and a love that change the way I go through each day.
The Father’s love did not begin on the day I accepted him. Romans 5:8 reminds us that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. God loved us even before we turned to him.
After my baptism, what was hidden came to light
After my baptism, wrong things from my past came to the surface. What was hidden was brought into the light. At times, this was very hard.
Yet this journey led me to a freedom deeper than I had imagined. I recognise God’s work in me through it: he brings to light what needs to change and purifies me to teach me a different way of living.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive them and to purify us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9.
I am discovering that life with Jesus is also this journey of transformation. He continues to work in our hearts, even when that work is difficult to go through.
Learning to love and letting go of what destroys us
Drawing closer to Jesus also means learning to love my neighbour, to refrain from judging them and to behave more like him. I want the love I receive to transform the way I see others and act towards them too.
Sin can no longer have the place it once occupied in my life. What harms us, holds us back and draws us away from God must go. This does not mean we become perfect all at once: it is a struggle in which we need him.
In this struggle, some things may seem impossible. But when speaking about salvation, Jesus says: “For human beings this is impossible, but for God everything is possible.” — Matthew 19:26.
I put my trust in him to keep moving forward and to leave behind what imprisons me. The one who set me free continues to walk with me.
An abundant life, even in the midst of trials
Jesus speaks of the life he gives: “I came so that the sheep might have life and have it in abundance.” — John 10:10, excerpt.
When I speak of abundance, I am not talking about money. I mean this life that takes root within us: peace, love and the joy of knowing God and walking with him.
There are still trials. But I go through them differently, because I know God is with me and will help me through them to the end. His presence makes them less heavy to bear. I am no longer alone.
After his resurrection, Jesus made this promise to his disciples: “And see, I am with you every day, until the end of the world.” — Matthew 28:20, excerpt.
God dwells in us through the Holy Spirit
Jesus is risen. Our relationship with him is lived today: God dwells in us through the Holy Spirit.
In John 14:16–17, Jesus announces that the Father will give his disciples the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who will remain with them and be in them. Then he adds: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” — John 14:18.
When I need strength, I turn to him. When I need comfort, I find in him a love I could describe as a Father’s embrace. He renews and supports me. His presence accompanies me each day.
I hope you too will have this encounter
If you are reading or listening to these words, my hope is that you too may meet our Lord. The one who saved me can save you too.
Whatever we have done in the past, whatever we are still struggling with today, God continues to love us. His love invites us to come to him and let him transform our lives.
Today, I no longer walk alone. And each day is a new opportunity to know him better, love him more and learn to love my neighbour.
Bible quotations translated from the French Louis Segond (1910) for this article. Passages without quotation marks are paraphrases with their references.