Ryan’s Story
I was born into a Catholic family, and my faith was a part of my life since I was a child. The teachings of Christ were a part of daily living, especially because I attended a private school from kindergarten through 8th grade. I thought I knew Jesus, and I feel like I knew who he was but I didn’t fully KNOW him. I knew Jesus came to Earth, died, was resurrected, and then ascended to heaven. I knew how he lived, and his teachings, but I realize now that I wasn’t living a Christ-following life.
As soon as high school came, school and sports started to come before religion. I was a part of the Catholic Church in my town, and I attended confirmation classes, but I was not involved in the church as much as I wanted to be. As soon as tenth grade hit I became confirmed so Wednesday night church ceased. I got my first job at a water park as a lifeguard and I worked Saturday nights and Sunday mornings, Church was now non-existent in my weekly life. Church would only come on holidays. Work, sports, and school all came first. I didn’t have my priorities in order.
In addition to not attending church, I became caught up in my possessions, my position, and myself. My senior year, I was both captain of the swim team and the track team. I was the fastest person on the swim team, and everyone looked up to me. I led the team well, but I was leading them for the wrong reasons. I was in the moment; everyone looked to me for what to do. I thrived on the attention and if I wasn’t the best, I wasn’t happy. I was also the valedictorian of my class; I was the “good kid”. Parents loved me, teachers loved me, and I loved every second of it. I was continuously caught up in myself. I loved me, and who I was, but over this time I lost my faith, I knew who Jesus was, but I feel like I was missing something. I tried to fill the void by keeping myself busy, doing schoolwork, practices, always going and going and going, and not realizing what was happening to me.
Everything changed when I attended my first Primetime. After this night, my life literally was changed for the better. It sounds like such a stereotype, but I saw people differently, my mindset was different, but most importantly my relationship with God changed. As I attend more and more PT’s, church, and bible studies, I see my life changing more and more.
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