Hi. My name is Steve. I want to tell you about something amazing that has happened to me recently…
I was brought up in a Roman Catholic family and went to church. When I became an altar boy I quickly came to realise the perks; Christmas gifts, payments for wedding and funerals, and although I didn’t realise it at the time, money was something I started to desire. But at high school I was mocked for going to church and stopped going. But I felt there was unfinished business with God.
In my late teens I got into all sorts of scrapes and became involved in a life of crime. Even when I started working I was still involved in crime. I just wanted more, but I was never satisfied.
It wasn’t long before I ended up in prison for the first time, which meant that I lost my job. I needed something or somebody, but Jesus was the last person on my mind! In October 2007 I went to prison again. Although throughout the years I had made out I was happy inside, I was miserable and knew I needed to change. And strangely things did start to change. I made decisions I stuck to, which seemed to be the right ones. Friends laughed when I told them. “Steve – you will never change!”
However my life was changing for the better. When I was released from prison in January 2008, things were fitting into place. I gave up smoking and crime. I was able to do some studies, but why?
I was out celebrating Christmas in December 2008 and was introduced to Karen. There was an immediate spark between us. Her friend told me she was a Christian to try and put me off! But I wanted to know what this “being a Christian” was all about. When I told her what had happened to me she explained that it was God at work in me through His Holy Spirit. I just had to know more.
We met again to discuss these issues more. I was starting to understand. I wanted to go to church and when we went, I felt so at home and the Lord started to play an important part in my life. Other Christians in church encouraged me and I was bumping into Christians everywhere I turned. God was at work in my life. At 5am on March 21st 2009 I gave my whole life to love and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, having asked Him to forgive my sins. I felt an incredible peace and excitement all at the same time. It was as if my past had been wiped clean and I was set free.
Karen and I have just got married and we’re looking forward to following Jesus together. I’d urge you to turn to Jesus too. It will be the best decision you ever make.
Highfields