Category: Gratitude

I was born and raised in London, England, in a non-religious and dysfunctional home. From an early age, I had always wanted to travel and experience the world. I had a distorted view of life and relationships. I believed that all paths led to God, no matter the religion and it was just a personal choice of how you got there. This belief eventually drew me to the New Age movement, which seemed to promise purpose, healing, and truth.

I became deeply involved in practices such as astrology, tarot cards, yoga, and spiritualist teachings. I believed in reincarnation, studied past life regression, and even qualified as a life coach, thinking I was helping others. But in reality, I was the one who was deeply unfulfilled. I was running wild—partying, clubbing, drinking, shopping—consumed by the image beast. I was careless and reckless in my behaviour, mixing with the wrong crowds. On the inside, I was lost, restless, and wounded, masking my pain with reckless behaviour and materialism, chasing after an image of success. Yet, no matter what I did, the emptiness in my heart wouldn’t go away.

Eventually, I hit rock bottom, and my life came crashing down. It descended into chaos—work, relationships, every area of my life fell apart. I became overwhelmed with hopelessness, depression, and despair, feeling like there was no way out. I began having suicidal thoughts, and in a very dark moment, I began contemplating ending my life. But instead, I found myself crying out for help. Unknowingly, I was reaching out to the One who had been waiting for me.

That night, Jesus the Christ met me in my brokenness. A warm presence of love and peace flooded my room, and I just knew it was Him. I didn’t need to be told He was the Son of God—I knew. Psalm 34:18 says, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” The truth of that verse came alive for me that night.

The next morning, everything felt different. Inside, I felt refreshed. The heaviness I had carried for so long was lifted, and I felt hope stirring in my heart. At the time, I was staying with my grandmother, who had been praying for me and giving me Bible verses to read. Her prayers had planted seeds in my heart, and I began searching for answers.

I began reading the Bible and discovered that Christianity wasn’t about man trying to reach God through religious efforts. I had spent so much time in the New Age movement, thinking that all paths led to the same God and that Jesus was just a good teacher, but I was deceived. It was about God reaching out to us through Jesus Christ, wanting us to be restored so we can have a relationship with Him, the Creator of the universe. I had to face the truth that the practices I had embraced were harmful and part of a deceptive system. Colossians 2:8 warns us not to be taken captive by hollow and deceptive philosophies, and I could see how that had happened to me.

I repented of my sins, renounced my former beliefs, and surrendered my life to Jesus. He wasn’t just saving me from my sin—He was saving me from myself. I discovered that our sin had separated us from a Holy God, and no amount of self-help or religious effort could restore that relationship. But God, in His love, sent His Son to take the penalty for our sin and make a way for us to be reconciled to Him. John 14:6 says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” I realised there weren’t many paths to God—there is only one, and it’s through Jesus, the mediator between God and man.

When I gave my life to Jesus, everything changed. The void I had tried to fill with the world was now filled with His love. I asked to be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to live a righteous life. His Word became my guide, His Spirit strengthened me, and His grace gave me peace and purpose. This wasn’t just a change in behaviour—it was a transformation of my heart, and I was now a baptised, born-again believer.

Looking back, I see how God’s kindness and mercy led me to repentance, and I am now walking in the assurance of His love. The Lord had a plan and purpose for my life ordained from the foundations of time, and He has a plan for you too. My life is a testimony of what God can do when someone repents, gives their life to Him, and surrenders to His will. I now know the peace, purpose, and true joy that come from knowing Jesus, and I am so grateful for the new life He has given me.

This was only the beginning of my journey. Since then, God has continued to reveal Himself in amazing ways in my life, and I’m grateful that He is still working in and through me.

My mission is to share God’s love and nurture faith by spreading the gospel, writing, engaging in outreach and missionary work, distributing Christian resources, and serving communities both locally and internationally. I am deeply committed to the sanctity of life, from the womb to the tomb and beyond, believing that every life is precious in both the physical and spiritual realms.

It’s a privilege to be part of the CFAN Youth Crusades team and to serve as a Fire Camp Evangelist, aiming to share Christ’s love and invite others to be reconciled with God wherever He leads me. ~ Lori McPherson

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*How to be saved: The Path To Salvation, please click: HERE / Photo by Eberhard Grossgasteiger