General Journey of Life

First of all let me give credit where credit is due; today's title is brought to you by Pastor Cindy. She said that in a sentence Wednesday night and I loved it and told her I was going to take it.

So what would you like to have known or been told at the beginning of your general journey of life towards the heart of Christ? I have a few things that in retrospect would have been nice to hear at the beginning:

1. Coming to Christ does not fix things.
2. If you are on the right road, you will lose some friends.
3. Piety and the disciplines may assuage your guilt but it won't stop the conviction of the Holy Spirit. 
4. Giving of your time, talents, gifts, prayers and service is necessary.
5. You should join a small group, like yesterday. 
6. Talk one-on-one to people for accountability.
7. Don't skip study time, no matter what the excuse is. 

So those are just a few. What would have made your journey easier? What would you tell a new believer today if you had the chance?