Baptism is a symbol of the new life believers have in Christ. This is Adan Turrubiartez’s public profession of faith in Jesus from his baptism on Sunday, September 10, 2023.
If you asked a random group of people to define a happy life, most people would reply a college education, high paying career, mansion, being able to travel and loving family In the past I would have agreed with the previous answers, but just like the other people I neglected the most important component of a happy life: developing an everlasting and genuine relationship with God. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen in conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
I grew up in a Catholic household where I never went to church on a regular basis, nor read the Bible and was never encouraged to seek out God for guidance. As I grew up over the years there was always something leading my focus away from God, for example: family, friends, school, social events, etc … Then I got into UNT on a free ride. At UNT I made good grades and had time to attend university events. Everything was going smoothly, but then I had my first severe case of anxiety. I could not focus on anything and felt a tremendous amount of pressure all the time. I tried everything to calm down; medicine, therapy, and using different forms of distraction. Nothing worked and only felt temporary peace. One day laying on my bed and feeling at my lowest, I began to pray to God. After each day, I opened up myself more and more. God already knew what I was going through. God by his love showed me that trusting in him means there is no reason to fear anything especially the unknown. I gave thanks to God, but slowly I went back to my old ways of neglecting God. I got my B.S. in chemistry, was able to save up money and hung out frequently with old and new friends. Life was going great, but I could not say I was truly happy; something inside of me was missing, God.
I tried going to different churches whom identified as different religions. I never felt like I belonged to any of those churches for one reason or another. A good friend of mine invited me to Redeemer. Since the first moment I stood in Redeemer I felt a presence that I felt only one other time; the time God helped me overcome my anxiety. A fire was lit inside me and every day the fire becomes brighter. I read the Bible on my own, enjoy Bible talk with others and I pour out my heart during worship and pray every day. My favorite day of the week is Sunday because I get to spend the day with other people who are just as or even more passionate about God than I am.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.” After today God, I confess to the world that you are my light even in my darkest moments and with you I am living a happy life.