A Jewish Rabbi once asked me if the cross I wear around my neck was mandatory for Christianity. It’s not, but it is a reminder of my faith and what it means for me to be a Christian.

Christianity has always been a big part of my life. I was born into a Christian family. I went to Christian school all the way up to university. Growing up I would hear testimonies of people’s life-altering transformations to live a life with Jesus and I would feel strangely discouraged. Theirs was a faith proven to them and so their faith seemed so much stronger than mine. But over time, I realized I didn’t need God to prove himself to me because I already knew he was there in my life.

God has expressed himself to me through His love. I have been blessed with a wonderful life and God has provided for me through it all. But that’s not to say that my life in faith has been or is a perfect one. While I experience my faith as a good thing, it can go bad. Sinning comes naturally to me, and I am often tempted to do things that are not in keeping with my determination to live a life that will please God. But when my faith goes bad it is made good again through the redemption of Jesus Christ. I am forgiven for my sins, and I am loved.

As a Christian, God does not ask me to be perfect, but he does ask me to love others. That is God’s command to us, to love our neighbours, and Jesus teaches us to love our enemies. I hope to show God’s love by loving others, forgiving others, and accepting others.

I wear my cross every day to remind me of God’s amazing love. I hope that when people see God’s love in my life through my actions, they might also come to know what it means to have good faith.

Hannah Vanderkooy is the Production Assistant intern at Listen Up TV.