Introduction to Atonement & Salvation

The MEN of INFLUENCE: TRANSFORMATION THROUGH MENTOR RELATIONSHIPS

I want to highlight that our experience with God is vast and multifaceted. It is, in a sense, indescribable. Something profound occurs within us, and from that point onward, we embark on a journey to comprehend the nature of this experience, how it transpired, and its implications for our lives. It is important to note that a transformative event has occurred, and we now seek to fully understand its ramifications.

Every individual who embraces faith experiences a unique encounter. This encounter need not be angelic, audible, or profoundly supernatural. It can manifest in a simplistic or ordinary manner. My personal journey involved being raised in a church environment but never truly accepting its teachings or seeking a relationship with God. I pursued my own path, grappling with trauma and pain, which ultimately led me to overdose on methamphetamine. During this harrowing experience, I found myself confronting God, defiantly proclaiming my lack of fear in the face of death, despite being gripped by an intense fear of dying. My heart raced, and my vision narrowed into a tunnel as all I could hear was the pounding of my own heartbeat. I found myself in an intense, dramatic conversation with God, akin to Lieutenant Dan's emotional outburst in Forrest Gump. Gripped by fear, I experienced a profound encounter with God that left me in a state of openness and receptivity throughout the day. I spent time in quiet contemplation, immersing myself in the presence of God and reflecting on what my life had become.