Debbie says she grew up in a home where neither of her parents were believers. She never went to church and never heard of Sunday school. She lived live on her terms, without God.

She was in and out of relationships. One worse than the other, and as the song goes:  Looking for love at all the wrong places. At thirty she met someone who was five years younger than her. When she found out that he was on heroin, she did not leave him, but started using with him. Her life was one big nightmare for 18 months!

She tried everything to escape from this maelstrom, but got sucked in deeper and deeper.

One day, as she was looking for a match to heat up the heroin, she came across a Gideon Bible. And while she was high on heroin, she started reading the New Testament. She came to the realisation that there is indeed a living God and that He would hold her accountable for her life, this life that she had messed up six-love. She became very afraid.

She knew she had to get to a church and on Easter Friday sat down right at the back of the church. Obviously so that she could slip out easily if things became too hot for her. But when the reading from Matthew described Jesus’ crucifixion and that Jesus had died for her, she started crying and couldn’t stop.

Debbie said that when she walked out of that church, she knew that God was her Father who loved her so much. Her life changed dramatically. In the nine years that she has been a child of God, He had helped her to restore and heal each and every area of her life that she had messed up.

He repaired her broken relationships with friends and gave her more friends. He helped her heal the broken relationships with her family. God helped her get her career back on track. He even helped her repay the debt that she accumulated.

Before she had lived on her own terms, only for herself. Now she lives for God and other people. From heroin addict to saved in Jesus.

This is what God does. God turns people around. Completely around. God picks up sinners, thieves and murderers and make them new and free. Like He did with Onesimus. He was a thief and an absconder. He absconded from his job and responsibilities. He was a mess and ended up where such people belong. In prison.

Fortunately, like Debbie, he was picked up from the refuge heap of life and God made him brand new and free. ¹¹He was useless to you before; now he’s useful to both of us.

From rubbish to saved. From chained in the world to free in Jesus. From worthless to someone who adds meaning to others.

Never give up hope. God never gives up hope.

Scripture
Philemon 1:10-14

Reflection
Are you filled with despair?
Is there still hope?
Where can you find hope again?

Prayer
Father, sometimes I despair, because I cannot seem to find my way back to You. Sometimes things simply become too much for me. Please help me to keep on hoping. Please help me to keep on looking for answers. I believe it is just around the corner! Amen.