One night, during my freshman year of college, my best friend and I got into an epic argument because he was tired of my “disappointing” behavior.

“You’re getting to the point where you do something new and I’m not surprised anymore.” I thought that he was being petty, but in reality, his words proved to be the light of the Holy Spirit that illuminated all that I thought was safely hidden in the dark.

The life that I was living was making me miserable, and although I knew that I was made for greater dignity, I still clung tightly to the “carefree” party lifestyle in hopes that my outer expressions of happiness would seep inward.

I was becoming increasingly dependent on trying to replicate fleeting euphoric feelings of fulfillment. I was constantly grasping for something or someone to satiate my want to be wanted. My next move was to act like nothing bothered or affected me.

Truth be known, I wasn’t happy, healthy, or holy. My audacious pride made me think that my joy could be found in choosing everything else over the love of God.

But there is nothing else in this world but the love of God.

It is by the grace that flows from His merciful heart that we are able to turn away from the slavery of sin and choose a life dependent on Him Who is Love itself. Our repentance leads to conversion, and conversion is our response to God’s invitation to love, trust, and worship Him alone so that we can share in the ultimate fulfillment of Heaven.

There is joy and relief in the freedom of knowing that Christ died and rose so that neither you nor I would stay chained to sin, but rather become servants, friends, and children of God. This freedom "benefit leads to sanctification . . . and its end is eternal life" (Romans 6:22).

God is merciful! God is forgiving! God is love! Time and again He gives us the grace to amend our lives so that we can one day experience "eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

[bctt tweet="There is nothing else in this world but the love of God. // @ChikasWorld" username="blessedisshe__"]

Turn your heart to Him in quiet prayer today. Ask Him for the courage to amend your life and turn yourself over to His loving will for your life.

Chika Anyanwu is a Catholic evangelist based in Southern California and is also the author of My Encounter: How I Met Jesus In Prayer. She has a deep love for Jesus, loves her beautiful Nigerian family, and is a firm believer that if coffee is good, there’s no need for cream or sugar. She is a contributing author to our Advent devotional book, All the Generations. Find out more about her here.