You’ve heard the testimonies. Maybe you’ve even sat in a circle of folding chairs and listened to them. When it comes to finding faith, the stories usually fall into one of three camps:

• Camp 1: The Lifelong. You were raised in it. Church, Sunday school, and tithing were as regular as the seasons.
• Camp 2: The Burned. Religion was forced on you as a child. You didn’t understand it, you didn’t like it, and you walked away the first chance you got.
• Camp 3: The Skeptic. It was never part of your life. You thought believers were weird, relying on a magical, mythical deity that no one can see, touch, or prove.

If you’re in Camp 2 or 3, the idea of “finding Jesus” can feel alien, awkward, or even ridiculous. I get it. But if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re searching for a way out of a pain that you can’t solve on your own anymore. Maybe it’s addiction, a broken marriage, financial ruin, or just a soul-deep emptiness.

I’ve sat with countless people in that exact spot. They’re facing a mountain of problems they built themselves, and they’ve run out of their own strength to climb it. They’re finally willing to listen. And the first question is always the hardest: “How do I even start?”

No one can tell you exactly what door to walk through. Finding Jesus is the most personal journey you will ever take. But I can give you the map that I’ve handed to others, the one that has led many from skepticism to salvation.

Step 1: Get the Source Material

The conversation usually starts like this:

• Me: “Do you have a Bible?”
• Them: “No.” or “Yeah, somewhere, but I’ve never read it.”

My answer is always the same: “Go get one. Today.” If you’re starting from zero, you need to go to the primary source. You can’t form an opinion about a book you’ve never read.

Where to start reading? I give two suggestions:

1. Start at the beginning: Genesis, Chapter 1. Just know it’s challenging and won’t all make sense at first. That’s okay.
2. The Hybrid Approach: Read Genesis for the foundation, then jump straight to the book of Matthew in the New Testament. This is where you meet Jesus directly—His life, His teachings, His promise. You can always circle back to the rest later.

Step 2: Find Your Tribe (But On Your Terms)

The next question is often, “Do I have to go to church?”
My answer: “It can help, but it’s not step one.”

Church can provide companionship and camaraderie with people on the same path. But if you’re wary of organized religion, start with a non-denominational church. They tend to focus on the core message of Christ without as much doctrinal baggage. It’s about community, not coercion.

The Moment of Meeting

I can’t tell you when or how Jesus will appear in your life. For some, it’s a thunderclap moment at baptism. For others, it’s a quiet, dawning realization during a desperate prayer in their car.

But I can promise you this: If you start down the road—if you crack open that Bible and sincerely ask for guidance—He will meet you there. Jesus isn’t hiding from you. He’s right over your shoulder, right now, waiting for you to simply ask Him in.

Maybe today is your day.

A Simple Prayer to Start

You don’t need fancy words. You just need a sincere heart. If you’re ready, you can pray this right now:

“Jesus, I pray to you today because I need help. My life is a train wreck, and I can’t fix it on my own. I need direction, guidance, and goodness in my soul. I ask you, please, come into my life today. Help me to accept you as my Lord and Savior. I say this in your name. Amen.”

Saying that prayer doesn’t mean all your problems will vanish tomorrow. But it is the start of everything. It’s the moment you stop trying to carry the weight of the world alone and hand it over to the one who can.

May God bless you on your journey today.

Chris Mosser

Author of Grateful Truce & The AGI Dilemma