Greed Was My Downfall!

I was in a county jail in Michigan on possession of cocaine charges and facing prison. I was only eighteen and my life was in complete chaos. I had nowhere to turn and wished I had listened to my grandmother and mother (Acts 16:1). My grandmother would often ask me to attend church with her and I did occasionally. However, I never really knew Jesus Christ and got very little from religion.

I was born in Toledo, Ohio, and grew up in a family with five brothers and one sister. I didn’t have a male role model until I went to live with my father at the age of thirteen.

One day two men asked whether I would go to heaven if I were to die that day. Having never thought of that question before, I listened as they started to tell me about Jesus Christ. After awhile they asked me if I would like to invite Jesus into my life. Without even understanding what that meant, I told them yes.

Having always done what I wanted and not listening to anybody, I was soon back on the fast track life. I was my own boss and preferred it that way. I knew the money I needed was in drugs. I just liked what the cash could buy: clothes, drink, girls, etc., to support my life style. I enjoyed having fun and liked being somebody (1 John 2:16).

Knowing the action was across the state line, I entered Michigan carefree and with the recklessness of a youth on the move. When lights flashed behind me, I felt a twinge of fear which was to turn into horror before the night was over.

I was arrested and placed in a holding cell in a strange city where I knew nobody. I made my call home just knowing they would be able to get me out of this place and this mess. It was not to be. I had finally went to far!

Not knowing or understanding why, I started to pray (Romans 8:26). This became an every night occurrence and even often during the daylight hours. Somehow I knew my help was to be found beyond this world.

One day while I was sitting in my cell, an officer came to the door and asked if anybody wanted to go to church. I volunteered. In the service I felt better about myself than I had in a long time. After the service, a man asked me if he could pray with me. I said yes. While praying, I invited Jesus into my life and this time I accepted him with all my heart. I sensed a cleansing throughout my body and a peace that I had never before known. I went back to my cell with joy and a hope for my life.

A few weeks later I was sentenced to a prison term of four to ten years for possession of drugs and sent to Michigan Reformatory in Ionia. If it had not been for the love of Jesus Christ and his strength, I would never have made it those first few weeks. I knew I was a new man and welcomed the challenge which I now faced (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Over the past three and a half years, I have learned it is hard to live this Christian life, but I have strength in Jesus Christ. Every day I die a little more to self (Galatians 2:20). Following Jesus and doing God s will is difficult because I am constantly under siege. However, I am learning that Jesus is always with me. My struggles are not unlike any others my brothers endure. I still make wrong decisions, but I am learning my Lord s voice and I seek forgiveness right away. The battles in my mind, which were often defeats, are becoming victories as I bring them into obedience to Christ. I cannot allow the past to rule my mind. Old habits are giving way as God molds me into the likeness of his Son.

After disobeying my Lord Jesus and not being the light he saved me to be, I surrendered my life totally to him in October of 2001. Since then God has shown me there is a better life as long as I heed the Holy Spirit’s leading. I still make mistakes but life is worth living since Jesus became my personal Savior.

I now tell others of Jesus Christ and his love for them. I know what that love can do in a life and want others to have the same.

Michael — Originally published in October 2002