Matt

I was introduced to alcohol when I was just 6 years old, which planted a seed for addiction later. In Junior High, I had trouble trying to fit in, and when I couldn’t, I began to experiment with drugs, like pot and other pretty hard drugs. I think it was all a means to escape what I was thinking, how I was doing, but it quickly turned into an addiction. After, I spent the rest of my life combating my addiction. I would make some strides and comebacks, but nothing stuck. All the things in my life that made me happy was marred by my addiction.

I became a Christian when I was 20 years old, but I wasn’t really ready. I tried to live a Christian life, fell into a rehab pattern, got sober, got out, went back to work, and was then arrested, drinking, and getting addicted to crack. It just all spiraled after that. I lost my job, I became homeless. Then the cycle repeated itself. I got clean for a couple of years – through AA, Narcotics Anonymous – just hundreds of meetings. But what finally got me this time, I was in jail facing some rough charges. I was lying there, saying, God, please show me, I need an answer, I need something. I turned to my bible and opened it to Romans 8 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” I felt like He was showing me that He’s there with me. So, I finish my time in jail, lived with my sister, and continued to give my life to the Lord. I studied the Word every day, stayed sober, and went to the Bridge. I haven’t looked back since. 

Since then, I think I finally understood the purpose the Lord set out for me. As God had said, “For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). I finally feel like I’m doing what Jesus wanted me to do. Christianity, as they say, is not a religion, but a relationship. Even in my addiction, I found that. Through everything, it is Jesus. The journey to get there, it takes care of your problems. The Bridge helps put you on that journey. 

Now, I’m starting to live again, live the life I would have years ago if I didn’t have an addiction, so that I may ensure God’s promise and restore what the locusts had eaten. I’m taking everything one day at a time and find that there’s always hope.

As long as there’s life, there’s hope. And through it all, I found myself. I’m Matthew, and God doesn’t make junk.