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People are interesting, aren't they? They are books co-authored by themselves and God. I am a high-school English teacher---have been for 24 years. I get to read some fascinating chapters in the lives of some amazing young folks. In the early stages of their stories, I may get the opportunity to influence a few lines in their text. They, like you and me, make their decisions that write their lives. I am a Christian---have been for 30 years. However, for 15 of those years, I was very backslidden. That is, I turned to sin and lived as if God did not exist. The longer I stayed away from God, the more hardened I became. From the outside, I looked as if I had a wonderful life: faithful companion (loving wife), stable job (tenured), plenty of money (never worried about being overdrawn), successful sportsman (40 trophies), education (Masters degree), noteriety (part-time journalist). So I should have been perfectly happy and content, right? Then why was I alcohol dependent? Why was I bitter? Why was I never satisfied? That I had left God out of my life is why. In 1985 I was shaken to the core: three of my students were horribly and instantly killed in an auto accident, and one of the girls was like a daughter to me. I spiralled into a depression; my drinking increased. I had no answers. Before that, I had thought I was strong enough and independent enough to handle anything. One morning before sun-up (I wasn't sleeping well, either), I was having one of those macabre fantiasies one sometimes has after such an incident: I would have died in her place so she could live. At that moment in my den, I was overwhelmed by the Presence of Jesus Christ. (I had been away for 15 years, but Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice." I think He was reminding me that HE had died in my place so I could live.) In my heart, I confessed to God that I had done wrong and gave my life unreservedly back to Him. I cannot put into words what my life has been like since then! God has done amazing things. He filled me with His Spirit, and alcohol holds no appeal to me now (Ephesians 5:18). He has given me a purpose in life, a new joy, a new everything. Indeed, it is like being born again (John 3:3, 7). Now I don't want to stray. Neighbor, you need Christ, too; we all do to be saved (John 3:16-18). God loves you (Romans 5:8). We are all born sinners (Romans 3:10, 23). God's rememdy for sin is Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23; John 1:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). God wants to save you, but He will not do it against your will (Revelation 3:20). Once saved, you will not have a desperate wish, but an assurance of Heaven (Romans 10:9; John 5:24; 1 John 5:13; John 20:31). I never thought I would be witnessing for Christ like this; I used to discreetly make fun of those who did. I know now that my mind was blinded (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). It takes the supernatural light of Christ's Gospel to cut through the darkness (John 3:19-21). I pray with all my heart that you will consider what I've written and even look up these scriptures for yourself. Talk to someone whom you know as a sincere Christian. My deepest prayer is that you willeven today trust Christ as your Savior, by faith, before it is eternally too late. I write this in the love of Christ. † Click HERE to return to the edited story Click HERE to create a banner that links to this story! Your e-mail address will be kept private!
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