Transformation Project
Is Real Change Possible?
I asked this question last week along with some other really challenging questions.
Today, I promised to share some of my story. So, here we go…
I come from a broken home as a child. Alcoholism was prevalent and destructive along with a number of other “ism’s”. I could never seem to settle down. I went to several different colleges and jobs came and went. My longest job was with the United States Navy as an Air Traffic Controller, of which I am the most proud of. But even that, after a while, lost its appeal.
I began working in commercial tire sales and it was a good job but …. Well, let’s just say the pattern continued. During this time, I suffered the tragic loss of my wife and little girl in a car accident. What stability I had was instantly gone and I began to spiral.
I made some very bad choices that culminated into…. To make a long story short, I broke the law and went to jail.
So my question to you is, “Is real change possible?” My life had become a wreck but even before that, it was never right. I can relate to the question because I have to answer this question in my own life but I know that I am not alone.
I see men everyday who have repeated the same crime again & again. They don’t know what to do differently – they have no training to do anything commercially viable. They have never had a job. What would your recommendation be to a man or woman who had never had a job, spent half their life in jail and had no skills and no hope of it getting any better? What would your recommendation be to me?
What about the bully who is beating people up?
What about the one who is constantly being bullied?
What about the abused that can’t seem to leave?
What about the child that is being physically, sexually or emotionally abused?
Where is the hope for them?
What about the alcoholic, drug addict or dealer, morbidly obese, gambler, liar, sex addict or …..
FILL IN THE BLANK FOR YOURSELF
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I ask again – IS REAL CHANGE POSSIBLE FOR ANY OF US?
My very simple answer is – yes.
- Mr. C.I. Scofield was a destroyed alcoholic. Now he is referred to as Dr. C.I. Scofield and he became one of the greatest theologians of his time. He created the Scofield Study Bible that is still in use today – 100 years later.
- Ed Scott was a violent repeat drug offender given a 100 year sentence at Angola State Prison in Louisiana. Now he is Rev. Ed Scott, a respected Baptist Minister and author.
- Joyce Meyer, as a child, was sexually abused by her father and then by other men in her family. She is now the head of Joyce Meyer ministries that preaches and teaches all over the world and is broadcast on TV daily. She also has a mission that helps women escape the sex trafficking industry. She is known as a woman of God and a best selling author.
- Ben Carson grew up in an economically disadvantaged home with a single mom and he was a poor student who hated school. Now, he is Dr. Ben Carson who graduated from some of the most prestigious medical schools in the world and is a brain surgeon, professor and is soon to be running for President of the United States.
This is a very short list of people who had overwhelming challenges in their lives. Many people in their situations don’t make it out alive or even sane, productive people. But these people thrived. WHY? The answer is the same for them all –
THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE LIFE OF A SOLD-BELIEVER !!!
My life has radically changed as well but before we hear more of my story, I want to read these passages:
“For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourself – it is the gift of God.” Eph 2:8
“You are God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus for the good works He had planned for you from the beginning of time.” Eph 2:10 NLT
God is in the Transformation Business. He takes the ashes of our burned-out lives, when we give these over to Him and exchanges them for beauty – His Beauty – Himself!
Think about it. I want to hear your stories as well. Until next time…
“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all these thing will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
Praise Him!
Cliff
2 Timothy 4:2,5
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