Really Finding Jesus

It wasn’t until many years later—during COVID—that my real journey with Jesus began.

I was born and raised Catholic. We went to church every Sunday and on holidays. It felt like something we simply did out of tradition. I was baptized, made my first communion, and went to confession. I even played guitar during Saturday services. But truthfully, all of this was because my parents guided me to do it. I never truly understood what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus. To me, organized religion was just that—organized. A structure to follow, but not something I felt in my heart.

It wasn’t until my accident that I sensed God’s hand over my life. Even then, I didn’t understand why my life had been spared—or what He wanted from me.

Years later, when COVID hit, I was laid off and found myself spending long stretches of time alone in my home. One day, in the stillness, I felt a deep stirring—a calling to reach out to God. I prayed, “Lord, what is the point of all of this?”

He didn’t answer with a thunderous voice, but with gentle nudges. Those nudges led me to discover a men’s group at a local church. I decided to go.

It was early in the morning, still dark outside. I turned on my GPS, and as I drove, the empty roads felt heavy with an eerie stillness. I felt like I was the only person in the world. Then, out of nowhere, a car pulled up beside me at a stoplight. When the light turned green, it sped ahead of me. My eyes caught the license plate—it read DarkSide. A chill ran down my spine and my eyes filled with tears. I knew in my spirit that this was no coincidence. It felt like a spiritual reminder that I was close to a crossroads—close to God.

The car continued to take every turn I did. But when we approached the church, it drove straight past while I turned in. In that moment, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

I parked, but my nerves were on edge. I waited outside until the doors opened. Inside, several tables were set up in the lobby. I chose a seat and waited as men slowly began to arrive—each of them searching for God in their own way. There were twelve of us in total, including me.

Then a man named James sat down next to me. He was full of the Holy Spirit, his joy radiating like a light, his smile warm and inviting. He welcomed me—not just into the meeting, but into the faith. James took my hand spiritually that day, guiding me through the experience with patience and kindness.

I shared my story, and the group prayed for me. After the meeting, James gave me his phone number and even helped me purchase a new Bible. He became my inspiration and spiritual mentor. That day, something inside me changed forever. My journey with Jesus truly began.

IN Christ
Jeffrey Trester