40 Years of Walking with Jesus: A Journey of Trust, Love, and Becoming One
I met Jesus about forty years ago, and God has been reminding me how significant this season is. Forty is a special number in Scripture. The Israelites spent forty years in the wilderness, and God’s presence never left them. He guided them with fire by night and a cloud by day. Even in their wandering, His covenant and love remained.
In certain ways, my forty years with Jesus have mirrored that journey. Through joys and trials, seasons of learning and surrender, I have experienced His miracles, His forgiveness, and His steadfast goodness.
I greatly enjoy telling my salvation story because I never grow tired of sharing how good God is and how Jesus saved and transformed my life. I will never forget the day I invited Him into my heart. At that moment, for the first time, I felt truly loved, forgiven, and free. God’s Spirit began to live in me, and I have never been the same.
I was once a shy young girl burdened with guilt and shame, but then one evening at a neighboring church, God touched my heart. Though I grew up going to church and knew about God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I didn’t know that Jesus wanted to dwell in me, that the Holy Spirit desired to breathe life into my heart every day. That revelation changed everything.
Since that wonderful day, I have come to know Jesus as my Savior, my Healer, and my Prince of Peace. The Holy Spirit has become my daily Guide. He is the breath of Heaven that fills me with joy and wisdom. Even after forty years, my heart is still in awe. I am more in love with Jesus than ever. Despite life’s challenges, I choose to walk in His freedom and joy, knowing He is my source and my song.
A Special Desire in God’s Heart
When I look back, I can see the countless ways God has blessed my family, my marriage, my children, my friends, and the ministry. I’ve seen the healing, restoration, and transformation that only He can bring. And through it all, He has whispered to my heart: “You are becoming more like Me. You are becoming one with Me.” That oneness is a desire of His heart:
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. (John 17:22 NIV)
That is the essence of this beautiful journey and the heart of Becoming the One (BTO). Our vision is to cultivate a Jesus family culture: a way of living that reflects the love, humility, and unity that flow from His heart.
A major focus of BTO is learning to love God deeply, trust Him completely, and live as one family under His grace.
This month at BTO, we’re talking about a culture of trust—trusting our Almighty God with everything. Trust is the foundation of relationship: with Him, with our spouse, with our children, and with one another. Trust builds strong families and spiritual legacies. God designed His kingdom to flow through family—through husband and wife, through generations walking together in faith and love.
One with God, One in Marriage
As I celebrate forty years of walking with Jesus, my greatest desire is still the same—to know Him more, to become like Him, and to help others discover the joy of becoming one with Him. Life with Jesus is the greatest adventure and the most precious gift, both here on earth and for all eternity.
Today, I honor Him for His unending goodness and mercy, for the beauty of His family, and for this sacred calling to live and love. As part of the Becoming the One movement, we are learning to trust, to grow, and to become more like Jesus. One heart, one spirit, one family in Him.
I want to give special thanks to my beloved husband, Leon, who has walked faithfully beside me on this incredible journey. Together we have seen God’s hand guide us, shape us, and call us into His purpose. Through joys and challenges, Leon’s unwavering faith, love for people, and passion for God’s kingdom have been a testimony of strength and grace.
What an honor it has been to walk side by side as God birthed Becoming the One, a movement from His heart and a call to restoration, unity, and love. As we continue this journey, Leon and I remain committed to building a Jesus family culture, where trust, humility, and love define every relationship, and every person discovers what it truly means to become one with God…and one in marriage.
Your heavenly Father loves you more than you realize! For more about His amazing, unending love, check out Becoming the One by Salomé Roat. Click here to learn more. The book is also available in Spanish.