That feeling when God slaps you in the face ... by Paulo

Every time someone says “just listen to what God has to say” or anything along those lines, I tend to let out a chuckle. It feels like God is so low key sometimes. It can be hard to just clear your mind during prayer (at least for me) and “listen to what God has to say”. I’ve never been good at that but it’s ok because God not only can be low key, but he can also shake your entire world. There is a catch though. So to better explain this I’m gonna share a personal story.

The summer after sophomore year was one of those moments when my faith timeline was on a downhill. I mean I went to most youth events at the church and I never missed mass but that means absolutely nothing if you don’t have the right mindset. Anyways I was living a life where sin didn’t bother me because I didn’t care. It’s not like I didn’t believe in God, I just kinda put him at the very bottom of my priority list. I had been dating a girl that I was “in love” with (lol). She wasn’t a bad person but I found myself doing things that lead to sin. The longer I was with her the worse it seemed to get. Early that summer I told my mom I wanted to go to Steubenville (a catholic youth conference). I had no idea what it was or who was going I honestly just wanted to go because there was going to be a stop at the Grand Canyon. God was schemin’.

The day we left was the same day I almost committed a sin that I would’ve regret for a very long time but I had to pack so I didn’t have time. On my way to the church I realized that I should not be on this trip. None of my friends would be there and as great as the Grand Canyon is, 5 days with strangers wasn’t worth it. At that point it was too late to back out so we were off to Arizona.

By the end of the night I was already having an amazing trip and that was the night that I would make friendships that will last a lifetime. As for the actual conference…. Life changing are usually the words I go to. Some of the best catholic speakers were there along with incredible singers and musicians. Imagine an auditorium at a university packed completely with Catholic youth singing and praising and having an amazing time. Then came adoration. I won’t go into detail about this but all I can say is that this was God slapping me in the face. It couldn’t have been more real than that. It was a moment that I have never truly been able to wrap my head around or explain to other people, which is how I know it was God. The next day I went to confession and made a vow to live my life the way I was meant to.

Coming home my life made a major 180°. I broke up with my girlfriend and I became intentional with my faith. Meaning I went to mass but I actually participated in it instead of just sitting there, I read my bible and went to bible study and engaged and had a desire to keep learning more and more. I gave myself small goals that would lead me to living the life I wanted to live. No one can just completely change who they are overnight so it was all about baby steps. Before steubenville I was a pretty happy guy but for the wrong reasons. After Steubenville I realized that I had joy which was far greater than any happiness.

So yeah God gave me a pretty good slap in the face, but I let him. I could’ve gone through that entire conference and not felt a thing, then come home and continue my “happy” life. But the catch to letting God in is all about having an open mind. If you’re closed minded about it that’s where you’ll stay. I challenge everyone to stay open to the idea of letting God in and making a place for him in your heart. It can be scary and sometimes.. It can knock you down and make you cry your eyes out (me), but trust me there’s no better decision you can make in your life.

(also everyone needs to sign up for Steubenville this summer 10/10 recommend)

Below is the promo video from that Steubenville, check it out! 

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