Sean's Story
- Updated Feb 10, 2009
Recently we received a letter from our friends at Prison Fellowship
thanking us for partnering with them in distributing copies of our
little gospel book called An Anchor for the Soul
to prisoners across America. Enclosed with the letter was a testimony
from a federal prisoner in Kentucky named Sean. His story illustrates
the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.
Sean’s Story
I
always thought I had all the answers. School came easy. I was at the
top of my class in high school and college. I was one of those people
who always seemed to find the solution. No matter how impossible the
situation, I would find a way to come out on top. I did not want
anyone’s help with anything. I did not feel I needed it. I especially
did not think I needed God. I was completely lost and had no idea.
In
November of 2007, I had a wakeup call. I was locked up in the local
detention center. It was something I was not prepared for. I was
isolated, alone and mad at the world. About a month into my stay, I saw
in the handbook that you could request a counseling session with the
chaplain. I was not religious or spiritual. In fact, I was the
opposite. However; I thought it would allow me to leave the cell for an
hour, so I did it. The chaplain told me about the Gospel. He told me
about salvation. He gave me a book entitled Anchor for the Soul.
I let him say his peace and went on my way. I did not believe in Jesus.
I had not needed Him before, and I did not think I needed Him now. In
fact, I had spent the greater portion of my adult life turning people
away from Christ. They would come to me speaking of the Gospel, and
they would leave doubting their own faith. I turned countless
Christians away from the Lord with my knowledge and persuasion. It
gives me a miserable feeling when I look back on it, but that is
exactly who I was then.
Though I had not planned on it, I read
the book. I would like to say it led me to Christ, but at that time it
did not. I did start going to church services, but it was only to get
out of the cell. Then one night, December 1, after a particularly
energetic service, I read the book again. I cannot explain how or why,
but everything became clear to me then. They call it a “moment of
clarity”. I cried that night and accepted Jesus Christ in my heart. I
told him of my sins, though I am sure He already knew. I began a
personal relationship with Him that has changed my life forever.
It
is hard to put into words the differences in my life now. They are so
vast and overwhelming. I guess the best way to describe it is that I
have an inner peace that I have never known. No matter how stressful
the situation i have faced in the last nine months, He has been there
with me. I have gone from a self-centered, materialistic person who
felt his good works would overcome his sin, to a man who lives to serve
the Lord.
Looking back on my old sinful self only brings
sadness. The things I took joy in before only bring guilt now. I have
truly become a new man in Christ. Not only am I honest with others, I
am finally honest with myself. I have testified of the changes He has
made in my life to my family and friends. I have expressed sorrow for
my actions toward them and asked for forgiveness. I hope they
experience the peace I have found as well.
You can reach the author at ray@keepbelieving.com. Click here to sign up for the free weekly email sermon.