In Jos, Nigeria, as an act of duty, seven-year-old Elizabeth was given to her aunt to be raised.

Her aunt's only child had died. "My father said she could raise me as she wanted," says Elizabeth. "She was Muslim so she did her best to make a Muslim out of me."

Although Elizabeth practiced Islam faithfully, one question nagged her: where do I go when I die? When she asked her aunt, her aunt would reply, "Nobody knows. Keep on doing good; God may accept you in the end."

In college, Elizabeth's friends often invited her to church but she usually declined. One day, she decided to attend. And she was surprised. "Nothing we do is good enough for God," the minister said. "Only through Jesus are we acceptable to God and guaranteed heaven."

"When I heard that I can have Jesus Christ in my life," says Elizabeth, "and that I can be sure of heaven, I knew Jesus was the answer."

Today her bright smile reflects the peace in her life. "Being a Christian means that I know someone bigger than me and my problems," she says. "Someone to thank for the good things and somebody to turn to in time of need."

Not everyone wonders about life after death, the way that Elizabeth did. Yet each of us has the need for assurance. That our lives have meaning. That we have value as individuals.

Elizabeth discovered how she could have the certainty that she so desperately needed, but Jesus is not just for Elizabeth. God promises that He has plans for each one of us, to give us hope and a future. This promise is for you, too. You can have peace and fulfilment through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here's a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Saviour and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of woman you want me to be.

If this prayer expresses the desire of your heart, pray it right now and Christ will come into your life as He promised.

If you invited Jesus Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you'll experience life to the fullest.