I was born to parents who were of mixed faith. My father was Catholic and my mother was Baptist. As a compromise, they raised me in the united church. Eventually, life took over, and weekend sports replaced my church life. Sports took more and more of my life’s focus and eventually became a passion, an identity, and a life.
Due to the hours spent involved in sport, both through work and volunteer activities, I left myself with no time outside of sports. This led to problems with depression, social withdrawal, and eventually, sexual addiction. Sexual addiction led me to do things I never planned to do and wouldn’t want to do anymore. These actions led to my arrest.
Upon my arrest, I turned my life over to Christ. During my imprisonment, I was blessed with helpful and encouraging chaplains. I quickly got involved in Bible studies through correspondence courses — eventually leading to my relationship with Crossroads.
Looking back, I can see the Hand of God at work in all aspects of my life. He not only allowed most of my childhood dreams to come true, but also put people in my path that ultimately allowed me to turn to Him.
During my time working and volunteering in sports, I was lucky to work alongside Peter, the national director of a Christian sports ministry that assists professional and university athletes.
Also, prior to being arrested, I was lucky enough to work alongside a believer named Sandra, who came to work with a team I was working with as an athletic therapist. She showed God’s love day in and day out, through the struggles and stresses of her job. In simple terms, she was a living example of the Bible.
Finally, God used a friend and co-worker at my job in retail to soften my hardened heart. I think this friend is responsible for allowing my heart to soften and accept Christ as my Saviour.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
In the future, I hope to use two verses daily to guide my life. Psalm 51:13: “Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.” This verse guides me in sharing my experience to those who are walking the same wrong paths I have walked.
The second verse is Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This verse reminds me that our purpose is to do good works for God, which have already been prepared for us.
Names throughout have been changed for privacy. (Photo by Austin Ban on Unsplash.)