Hatred is described as an intense feeling of dislike, aversion, or hostility toward someone or something. Why did I hate something so much that I claimed did not exist? A common question that I asked myself before my conversion. I was an avid atheist, I hated the church, I was 19 or so when I first started “repenting.” But, my public devotion was only a cover up to get my friends and family off my back. Instead of doing what Christians “should” be doing in church, I had spent most of my time in church cleaning cocaine residue out of my nose from the night before. I was the perfect epitome of a hypocrite.
I was 13 when I first fell in love. She gave me security and an escape from the reality that surrounded me. Her name was cocaine. Little did I know I would spend the next 7 years of my life wrapped around her finger. I was very good at hiding my relationship with her along with smoking, drinking, sex, and all the other attributes that usually come with a bohemian lifestyle. Of course, I had consequences, I spent time in alternative schools, behavior programs, jail, and endured many lectures from my elders trying tirelessly to steer me on the right path. But, a true victim of addiction will never change his ways without a spiritual experience that cannot be explained by secular comprehension.
My admission to Capstone Treatment Center was the final turning point of my life. It took a few weeks in the program until I finally decided to attempt to get sober. I was unsure of what my purpose was and out of ultimate desperation, I uttered a prayer asking God to take over my life. Almost immediately, He did. I discovered my calling to help young men with addiction. After I was released, I was transferred to spend my summer at Patton Sober Living in Dallas, Texas before my fall semester at Harding. I was eventually offered a job there in which I declined unless I felt a calling away from Harding. Not even 30 minutes later, I received news that I had an outstanding warrant in Indiana that could not be expunged. I was facing several months which would ultimately prohibit me from attending school in the fall. I turned myself in and entered the hearing after spending 4 days in an isolated cell. I was sentenced 15 days, which was the exact time I needed in order to make it to the first day of class.
I am now in my second semester at Harding University 15 months sober. I got baptized on September 24, 2023 at Highway Church of Christ in Judsonia, Arkansas. I have dedicated my life toward helping others like me, broken young men in the grips of addiction. I am extremely blessed to witness God’s grace around me every single day. Even though during my earlier lifestyle decisions/actions were taken and people were hurt, but due to God’s grace I was able to change my life.
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36
Jacob Plattner
Searcy, Arkansas
Book 7, Day 15
GOD STORIES And More...
Because HE LIVES,
We can face tomorrow
_________________________________________________________________________________
Scroll up and click on the GOD STORIES tab for more encouraging and inspiring true stories.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Comments