Gerson Flores

My name is Gerson Flores. I grew up in a Christian household. Both of my parents have trusted in God for as long as I can remember and have taught me about the goodness of Jesus. As a young child, I was very hyper, rebellious, and constantly seeking attention. Those same behaviors followed me into my youth and teenage years; a rebel without a cause looking for acceptance. I hit the streets, and started sinning at a rampant pace. I started experimenting with drugs and alcohol, not knowing these addictions would be burdens and chains over my life for over 20 years. Throughout my teenage years, I remember God constantly trying to pull me towards him but the more He pulled me, the more I rebelled. On many occasions I could have ended up dead or in prison. Now, looking back, God constantly had his wings of protection over my life. My behaviors and mental health issues followed me into my adult life. I became angry, malicious and judgmental. At the age of 25, I started competing in weightlifting and during a training session, I became intrigued by God and Christ. My life started to change when I turned 30 years old. Even though I still didn’t have a relationship with Jesus, my mindset and outlook on life started to become more positive. Around the same time, I met my future wife. Fast forward to 2021, my wife and I had gotten married and God blessed us with our first home. Even though I had accomplished so much, my life was still missing something and I was still struggling with addiction and sin, but all that was about to change. One day during a weightlifting session I started to listen to a motivational speech. In the speech, the man started to talk about God and faith, and I felt like God was talking to me through the speech. After that I started to research anything and everything I could about God and Jesus; I started reading the Bible, started praying, and began worshipping, I fell in love with Jesus, little by little. Then, a miracle happened, Jesus answered my prayers and He started cleaning the cup from the inside out. For every step I took toward Christ, he took 3 steps towards me. My life had completely changed. He filled my life with love and I started to love others like I have never before. He started removing all those burdens and chains from my life. Now after living 3 years with Him, I don’t know how I lived 36 years without Him. He has blessed me with a new life and has given me purpose. God has even gifted my wife and I with a son. I have promised our son to God in the same way that my parents promised me to God, and after 39 years my parents’ prayers will be answered, and I will be baptized to show that I have devoted my life to Jesus, to serve Him and to be used as a tool of His, and to do the will of our Savior. Psalm 23:1-6 — “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures,  He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”