Day 3: Matthew Aber
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
I pray my testimony serves as a reminder that true meaning in life comes from choosing the narrow path, that only few people take, instead of following the road everyone else seems to be on. As teenagers and young adults, it is easy to get caught up in the path most people travel, but real value and purpose comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Growing up, I was very blessed. I lived in a wonderful town and had an amazing support system around me. As an only child, my parents looked out for me, kept me involved in activities, and surrounded me with good friends. I was always active. I played baseball through my sophomore year of college and was working from a very young age. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was laying the foundation to one day be the head of my household.
All of this kept me away from the typical college scene. Partying, drinking, hook-up culture, and sleeping until noon pulls so many people into a cycle that brings them closer to what feels good instead of what is good. While I am far from perfect, I realized early on that this crowd wasn’t for me. I wanted college to be a time of growth for my future family; a time to build, not waste. I put my future ahead of the temporary pleasures around me.
After two years as a college athlete, I stepped away from the game to fully pursue finance. God opened a door and blessed me with a job at a financial planning firm during my junior year. Seeing my work begin to pay off motivated me even more. I worked full-time around my school schedule, then used weekends to catch up on homework and study for financial certifications. This passion kept me busy, focused, and away from the road that so many people wander down.
Eventually, after all that work, I reached what I thought was the peak: I landed a job on Wall Street. For someone in finance, that is supposed to be the ultimate achievement, the place where you have “made it.” But after I got there, I still didn't feel the satisfaction I expected. I kept setting goals, achieving them, and then immediately chasing the next thing. Nothing ever truly fulfilled me.
It wasn’t until I found Jesus that I discovered real, lasting joy and satisfaction. As I continue growing with Him at the center of my life, I am reminded daily that yes, I must work hard and serve as a provider for my future family, but true meaning, identity, and purpose only come from knowing and serving Him.
Prayer
I pray and encourage you to seek Him. Buy a Bible, go to church, join a Bible study, and take that first step. He brings a value, clarity, and peace to your life that nothing in this world ever can. Stay on the path that leads to life, and He will make your ways clear.
I pray my testimony serves as a reminder that true meaning in life comes from choosing the narrow path, that only few people take, instead of following the road everyone else seems to be on. As teenagers and young adults, it is easy to get caught up in the path most people travel, but real value and purpose comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Growing up, I was very blessed. I lived in a wonderful town and had an amazing support system around me. As an only child, my parents looked out for me, kept me involved in activities, and surrounded me with good friends. I was always active. I played baseball through my sophomore year of college and was working from a very young age. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was laying the foundation to one day be the head of my household.
All of this kept me away from the typical college scene. Partying, drinking, hook-up culture, and sleeping until noon pulls so many people into a cycle that brings them closer to what feels good instead of what is good. While I am far from perfect, I realized early on that this crowd wasn’t for me. I wanted college to be a time of growth for my future family; a time to build, not waste. I put my future ahead of the temporary pleasures around me.
After two years as a college athlete, I stepped away from the game to fully pursue finance. God opened a door and blessed me with a job at a financial planning firm during my junior year. Seeing my work begin to pay off motivated me even more. I worked full-time around my school schedule, then used weekends to catch up on homework and study for financial certifications. This passion kept me busy, focused, and away from the road that so many people wander down.
Eventually, after all that work, I reached what I thought was the peak: I landed a job on Wall Street. For someone in finance, that is supposed to be the ultimate achievement, the place where you have “made it.” But after I got there, I still didn't feel the satisfaction I expected. I kept setting goals, achieving them, and then immediately chasing the next thing. Nothing ever truly fulfilled me.
It wasn’t until I found Jesus that I discovered real, lasting joy and satisfaction. As I continue growing with Him at the center of my life, I am reminded daily that yes, I must work hard and serve as a provider for my future family, but true meaning, identity, and purpose only come from knowing and serving Him.
Prayer
I pray and encourage you to seek Him. Buy a Bible, go to church, join a Bible study, and take that first step. He brings a value, clarity, and peace to your life that nothing in this world ever can. Stay on the path that leads to life, and He will make your ways clear.
Posted in Boast in the Lord 2026
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