Life on earth can been difficult and dark. Some people spend their entire lives living in darkness. Thankfully, God has a plan for you, and for all human kind. That plan includes repentance and joy. We're not destined to stay in darkness for all eternity, unless we choose it. Even after death, it is possible to be saved by Jesus.
Below, you'll hear the transformative story of a man who was, in is own words, a drunkard. After death, he found Jesus and repented.
Receiving a story of redemption
It's 4:53am and I'm sitting at my desk, hands poised over my keyboard. It's time to meet with a spirit and share his or her story of Jesus. This time, however, no one appears. Instead, I hear a male voice, and he tells his story in poem form.
Christ is the One
I sit and I wait, I've entered the gate, but no one has let me through.
Where are those who believe in me, whose forgiveness will let me renew?
To transform and change, repent and grow, and leave behind who I was.
I am no longer a drunkard, for Jesus is now my love.
Wine and games, gambling and pain, these things were my fate.
I chose them to be my friends, for my heart was full of hate.
Living each day in the condition I did, full of darkness and loathing,
I knew not a better way, for my family and friends were a cloaking.
All who I knew, all I encountered, were likewise hurting and sad.
Most of them had no clue, but some felt the sorrow so bad!
Joy in pain, and misery's gain, left us all seeking relief,
Knowing one way, and one way only, we drank and gambled each eve.
What's a man to do when nothing brings him joy?
When his time there down on earth, is filled with things that destroy?
We wander in darkness, not knowing the way, not even knowing we're lost.
We think that what we're experiencing is the best life has, its cost.
Oh what a state of pain, of suffering and woe!
I only wish I'd known earlier in life that there was another way to go.
I have no blame or anger directed at family or others.
This was my life to experience, and that of all my brothers.
But we have now repented! Oh what joy fills our souls!
I am so very thankful that eternity has a goal,
That there are many up here, in the realm of spirit,
Who find and save those of us who are lost and weary.
Jesus is the way, the light, my love, the source.
There is no other substitute, all else will lead you off course.
Open your heart to feel Him, learn to heed His ways,
I promise that when you do so, you'll find better days.
His light is always near us, His love is all around.
We are never alone, although we might not hear the sound,
That of the still, small voice, the Holy Ghost who shares
The truth of all things heavenly, that Jesus saves all who dare
To leave behind what they know, and seek after something new.
To give up all those parts of themselves that are no longer true.
To let behind the pain, and things that grip the heart,
Those things that keep us separated, nowhere, and apart.
His way is truth and love, everlasting light,
Which might seem scary at first, but please trust it with your life!
For life and light it is that make you a creature new,
And will bring you joys unheard of, if you but choose it, too.
So give your heart to Jesus, don't let the darkness stay,
Make a choice anew, each and every day,
That you'll come to His light, the only one that saves,
For He alone can Redeem, and save us from fallen ways.
Life without Jesus is suffering and darkness
This man’s story is both heart-breaking and beautiful. Unfortunately, his story of his time here on earth is common to so many. He spent his days in darkness, not knowing there was a better way. This is all part of the plan that God has for you, and for all of us.
This man's life was one of hate, of darkness, and loathing. But it was also a life of hurt, sadness, and pain. And what did he do in that state? He did what many people do.
He chose things that were meant to quell, to quiet, all of that suffering. He drank and gambled. He simply didn’t know better.
There are two places to be in life – in darkness, or in light. Darkness is suffering. Light is freeing.
Darkness is a closed heart. Light is an open heart.
Darkness is Satan. Light is Jesus.
Repentance brings joy!
The beauty of his story is that it has a happy ending. He found the light, repented, and now knows joy!
In the spirit realm, he learned about Jesus and chose him. He learned that there is nothing except Jesus that can bring us what we seek to be free from darkness. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
This man gives a simple formula for accepting Jesus. We do these three things:
1. open our heart so we can feel Jesus
2. follow Him (keep the commandments) and
3. leave behind who we were (repent).
(See 2 Ne 31, which gives a clear and powerful explanation of these things.)
It’s our choice. Every day, we can choose to come closer to Jesus.
God has a plan for you, and all human kind
Eternity has a goal. God has a plan. Aren’t you grateful for that? I sure am! Without God and his plan, we would have no hope. There would be no point, no purpose, in our lives or in our suffering.
But because God loves us, he sent his Son.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16, KJV)
God’s plan is simple. Choose to follow His Son. Learn of him.
God’s plan is centered in His purpose. He himself has said, “For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39)
Have you accepted God's plan for you?
I'm so grateful to know that God loves me and has a plan for all of us. It wasn't until I was 36 years old that I left behind the ways of the world and really came unto Christ.
I testify that following Jesus brings peace and joy to our hearts. Yes, it can be scary, like the man of this poem said. But it also brings freedom and light and goodness. It is always a blessing to follow Jesus.
May you be blessed as you follow Him each day.
