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Scripture says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). That verse is both an invitation and a call to action. For years, it described what I lacked. How can you taste and see if you are not even sure Jesus is real?

I am an alumna of �㽶��Ƶ����, where I earned my bachelor of science in exercise physiology after signing on an athletic scholarship out of high school. During my time at FPU, I stepped into leadership roles as a 3x team captain, competed on national stages, earned 8x All-American honors and a Division II title.

When I started college, I did life my own way. I made decisions based on my own understanding—in my sport, in relationships, in how I spent my time and in how I handled conflict. Looking back, it is no surprise that everything eventually came crashing down. The foundation I had built was never meant to withstand the storms of life.

In a single weekend, after returning home from my grandmother’s funeral, facing a broken relationship, feeling stuck athletically and experiencing conflict with a family member, I hit my knees genuinely for the first time.

I had always believed that once I could make my own decisions, I would make the best ones for myself. I was utterly wrong. Not even I could make the right decisions. In desperation, I prayed to a God I wasn’t even sure was real. With my forehead to the ground, I prayed from the depths of my heart, asking that if God was real, He would reveal Himself to me because I could not do life on my own anymore.

I will never be able to fully describe what happened next.

Everything changed when Jesus met me in my dorm room. I felt the palpable presence of God meet me there. It was as if perfect peace, safety and holiness surrounded me all at once. I stayed there for what felt like forever—in amazement, shock and joy. His presence left me speechless. The pain I had carried was suddenly gone. In many ways, I died there that day. The person who stood up was a new creation in Christ.

His presence gave me undeniable evidence that He is who He says He is—that He died for me and rose again in glory. In that moment, I relinquished control of my life and gave Him the reins, rebuilding everything on a firm foundation.

Everything changed after that.

I can now see He was always pursuing me. Through all of my accomplishments, I came to realize that no achievement could ever define my identity—I was created to be a daughter of the Most High.

My track career became His. As I stepped into a captain’s role, I sought to lead according to His Word rather than my own ambition.

The way I approached relationships changed. I enjoyed learning how God created me to be as His daughter and what He desired for me in a future spouse. Ultimately, that journey led me to my husband, a man who pursued me intentionally, calls me higher every day and loves me well. Together we chose to follow wherever God would lead.

We followed God’s call to the Philippines, where I trained relentlessly without knowing whether I would ever run in the Olympics. There, I developed a deeper love for the people from whom my father’s side of the family comes, and I learned to let pride die. If I ever compete again, it will be for His glory alone.

One of my greatest blessings is becoming a mother to our son, a role that has deepened my faith and daily dependence on God.

From �㽶��Ƶ���� to the Philippines and now back again to �㽶��Ƶ����, God’s calling has led me into nursing, a position of servitude and purpose.

Now, I am a Sunbird once again. Why? Because the Holy Spirit told me to. I am pursuing nursing because I see the need for quality care, servant-hearted leadership and true health and wellness.

Today, my life is built on Christ—the solid Rock. I find that His solid foundation was what I was always looking for. I move forward with joy, knowing my identity is not in what I achieve but in who I belong to, and trusting the purpose and direction He is unfolding in every season.

So, what is my encouragement to you?

Maybe you are not sure Jesus is real. I can’t fault you for that—I wasn’t sure either. But can I encourage you to do something I finally did for the first time? Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Don’t take my word for it. Ask Him yourself.

Pray honestly. Ask God to reveal Himself to you. Ask Him to show you His truth and His presence. He is not afraid of your questions, doubts or struggles. He met me in mine.

And when He does reveal Himself to you, you will never be the same.

Get involved in a local church where God’s Word is taught faithfully. The Well Community Church is an amazing option, and churches like Via are as well. Surround yourself with people who love Jesus and are committed to following Him.

Find Christian friends who are growing in their faith and pursuing the Lord. Read God’s Word for yourself and learn to live out what it teaches. It won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it.

I can honestly say that following Jesus has changed every part of my life. Not because my life became perfect, but because I found the One who is faithful through every season.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. You won’t regret it.