I embraced Christianity at the age of 20. For me, my experience of becoming a Christian meant walking away from several destructive habits that had been dragging me down since my early teens.
I well recall getting drunk the first time when I was 14. I discovered marijuana soon after, and I smoked way too much back then. From there, I moved on to other drugs such as LSD, which I only took a handful of times. In retrospect, that drug frightened me enough to handle it sparingly. I never did cocaine because my circle of friends couldn’t afford it. My friends and I did take drugs that were known in the 70s as Qualudes (sp?) or soapers, as we called them. They might be comparable to today’s opiates, only less powerful and less addictive.
My teenage years were a blur of drug use, drinking, and chronic underachieving. I believe that had I resisted drugs and alcohol, my life would have been better back then. I would have accomplished more and set higher goals. I somehow graduated from high school, but by the proverbial skin of my teeth.
During my 20th year, I was so miserable that I had to make changes. I tried praying, and after a time, I experienced what I can only describe as a spiritual awakening.
My embracing Christianity placed a wedge between me and my old pals. I liked them, and we had grown up together, but to change my life as I desired, I had to get away from them. A couple of them were understanding and supportive, but a few of them saw my choices as a betrayal. I played music with some of my old friends, and we formed a rock band. We had played at a few parties, but they wanted to start playing in clubs. But the thought of playing music in bars was just too depressing. No offence or judgment here towards people who go to nightclubs and bars, but for me personally, that just never was for me. This baffled my friends. They wondered how I could have musical ability and not perform in front of people. All I can say is it’s not something I ever wanted to do. I have performed music over the years, but in other forums other than bars and clubs.
Once my head cleared, I started taking college classes, working, met the woman who would become my wife and later got married, and a few years later experienced a desire and calling to preach and be a pastor. I attained a seminary degree and was an assistant pastor for 7 years and then a full-time pastor for 23 years.
I am now bi-vocational, which means I work a full-time job as well as pastor a church.
My becoming a Christian empowered me to accomplish goals I might otherwise never have tackled. My Christian faith has kept me centred and focused over the years.
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Also Read:
- Expecting the Unexpected
- The Benefits of Wisdom: Triple Advantage
- Entities in the Bible: The First Surrogate Parent
- Lessons From the Geese
- Jesus, the Living Word
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