Indiana

I (Matthew Stokes) grew up in a good Seventh-day Adventist family, but never felt very convicted. A few years ago, I started making bad decisions because my priorities were in the wrong places. I was resentful God made such a corrupt and perverted world and let people endure so much suffering and pain. I didn't care about school or getting good grades. I just wanted to spend my time on this earth having fun. Nothing else mattered.

Looking back now, I realize how miserable I was. I thought I was having so much fun, but I was really depressed and angry. I was asked to leave school for bad grades and conduct. That helped me to see more clearly where my life was, or wasn't, going. I still wasn't fully motivated though; something was missing. I thought I was getting better when I made maybe the worst of all my bad decisions, certainly the biggest. I felt like I had hit rock bottom.

I had always heard the stories of people turning to God after they hit "rock bottom," but it never really hit me like it did then. I began to read my Bible more and more every day and I felt better and better. I knew there really was something special going on and that the image that I previously had of God was one Satan had given me. Reading the Bible gives me a joy that I have never experienced anywhere else. I know the things I read in the Bible are true from the feelings I get when I read it. I feel a closeness with God and this perfect peace that I just couldn't get anywhere else.

My life has totally turned around since I began reading the Bible and praying more. I am a completely different person, and I feel like God has a purpose for my life. After all that I've been through and after rejecting Him for so long, it's so very humbling to see that God still loves me and wants me. I know that no matter what happens to me here on this earth, I still have a God who loves me and a mansion made specifically for me in Heaven. I’m convinced that nothing on this earth can compare with that or will give me the same joy and contentment.

Because of all the Lord has done for me, and is doing for me, I plan to go to India next December to preach the gospel. A year ago, I couldn't have imagined myself doing anything like that. Now, I want to live my life for God and dedicate every moment He has so lovingly given me to help hasten His coming.

Matthew Stokes, a Cicero Seventh-day Adventist Church member