When I wasn’t drinking or showing-off I spent a lot of time alone.  Songs with lyrics asking questions to give reasons for life stirred my heart to look answer that went beyond the religion I had known as a boy. 

On the job were several young people who were different.  They worked hard, didn’t partake in questionable deeds and seemed to have a peace I didn’t know.  One of them worked close to me.  I knew enough about Jesus to think that this young person might be Him!  I asked him questions like, “Don’t you smoke Marianna?”  He said drugs could not give him the peace Jesus did.  One day they gave me a Bible which I took to the beach to read.  As I sat alone along the shore of Lake Erie I read words from the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus gave to large crowd.  It read:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children  of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

“Blessed are you when people  insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely  on account of me.  Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.   Matthew 5:2-11

As I read these words I had a vision of a man who was clothed in white and speaking the words I was reading.  He seemed to be the most desirable friend anyone could want.  He had everything I was reading, peace, mercy, purity, blessedness.  Without knowing what to do I simply prayed and said, “Lord, I have made a mess of my life.  If you can change it I want to give it to you.” 

A peace entered my heart and I felt a strange euphoria that made me feel like I was walking on air!  I felt a love I had never known before. 

Many years have passed since August 1975.  I have had struggles in life but the Lord has always been my Help.  He has delivered me from many fears and comforted me in trial.   I know I have been forgiven and that a place in heaven awaits me.  Most important of all Jesus has increasingly become a reality of things to come and the hope of a glorious eternity.

Everyone who wants to know Him can.  He is as close to us as we want Him to be.  Believe that His death on the cross was for you.  Say the prayer, ask Him in your life today.

Norman Przybylski