I’m Tired of Living This Life

My name is Otis. I grew up going to church. My mom made sure we were at Sunday school and morning service every Sunday. If she had to work she made sure someone came to pick us up for church. I enjoyed Sunday school, the singing and the Bible stories. I think at age 13 or 14 I got saved. I really didn’t know what I was doing or what it meant to be saved. I remembered someone saying to me that I can have eternal life by accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord. So I thought if I get saved I can go to heaven.

At the age of 20 something I left my mom’s house. I was put out because I didn’t want nothing out of life. Never married, kids out of wedlock, started sleeping and living with different women. I got into drugs and heavy drinking more.

I became homeless, working at different temp agencies just to support my habits. I moved to Detroit with a woman I was dating to take care of her grandmother before she died. The whole time we were dating, our relationship was about doing drugs and drinking.

One day I decided I had enough of that life and left and became homeless again. I met my pastor and his wife who live in Pontiac. I know God sent them into my life because he heard my prayer. I prayed that I’m tired of living this life and wanted to live for the Lord.

I rededicated my life to Christ. Ever since that day, God has been restoring my life and my family back into my life. I enjoyed serving the Lord and people. While in Pontiac, I was my pastor’s armor bearer. I would take him to his appointments, escort him to the pulpit, etc.

I also was in charge of the House of David Help Center. I would open the building and cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the homeless or people in need. After 4 years there, I ended up going to prison. To be truthful, those were the best 12½ years, in prison.

I got closer to knowing and understanding who I am in Christ Jesus. I met a lot of brothers in prison, and an outsider (volunteer) who taught, knew the word of God, and lived it.

I still make mistakes. I fall down but I get back up because of God’s grace and mercy. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in Jesus Christ who loves me and gave himself for me on the cross.

Otis — Originally published in July 2017