One morning while I was eating my breakfast - a Bologna sandwich - I was given a Bible. At first I didn't think much of it, and sat it on my little metal table and I ignored it. It took me a couple of days before I finally picked it up. Then I decided, "Why not? I'll try it. What do I have to lose?"
The Best Decision of my Life
So there I was, sitting on my little thin mattress on my metal bunk, reading. I didn't know it at that time, but I had just made the best decision I had ever made in my entire life. I was still unsure whether I could even read the Bible, or understand it, but I didn't think I had anything to lose. So I started reading from page one in Genesis - first chapter, first verse. And you know what? I couldn't stop reading. I couldn't put that book down for anything!I read day and night. The only time I stopped reading was after they turned the lights off and I couldn't see anymore. This book, the Bible, was nothing like I expected. It was completely different than anything I had ever imagined. I was reading stories about things that I may have heard of, but had no idea what they were or what they meant. Now I was reading them for myself. The more I read the more I wanted to know. The farther I got, the farther I wanted to go.
Seeing for the First Time
I got about halfway through this Bible and it was like a light bulb lit up, and my eyes were opened. I could see for the first time. I was blind and now I could see. It was amazing! I was lying there and I realized this is it. This is what I've been missing all my life. This is what I've been running from, but trying to get to all of my life. It was like somebody poured ice cold water over my head and woke me up. I finally found the "missing link."I wished I could have seen the look on my face. I'm sure it was a look of shock and excitement and fulfillment. Right then, at that very moment, I prayed. I prayed to Jesus. I asked God to forgive me for all my sins, and to come into my heart and to be part of me. Then something very special and exciting happened to me. My life changed. My life took a complete turn - the biggest u-turn I'd ever made. I turned right around and headed towards God, and I didn't look back to see what the devil was doing. I ran, and ran, and ran.
I Was Lost But Now I'm Found
I ran towards God and I cried, and cried, and laughed. I was lying in my cell in jail, with no hope of ever getting out, and I was smiling and laughing, and thinking, "I am the happiest man in this whole wide world." You see, I found Jesus. I found the Lord. I once was lost, but now I'm found.I am so thankful for everything God has done for me. Let me tell you, He has worked miracles in my life. Because of God, I only spent one year in jail. He let me out - not the judge, not the guard, not Sheriff Joe - but Jesus. Jesus gave me my freedom when I first asked Him into my heart and my life. Then He opened the gates and let me out of jail. He continues day after day, blessing me. He helps me. He holds me. He loves me. He takes care of me.
It's only because of Him that I'm even alive today. It's only because of Jesus that I have a roof over my head, that I have money in my pocket, that I have food in my refrigerator, that I have shoes on my feet. No matter what, He is the only reason I have anything. The Lord has changed my life so much. I have friends now, and I can be a friend. You would not have wanted me to be your friend before I found Jesus, but now I can be a true friend.
When I accepted Jesus the old me passed away, and I became a new creature. I am not the same person I was and I will never be that person again. I'm so thankful for everything that Jesus has done and for everything He has given me.
To read more of Don's testimony, visit Got-God.us.
