180° Life Turns

Everyone secretly struggles with something in their lives.  For some, it may be an addiction to drugs, to others, perhaps a problem with controlling a hot temper.  I will make myself vulnerable by saying this, but I often find myself hyping up a person's "180° life change" when it is someone with fame or wealth up on a fancy podium speaking to congregations of millions.  I tagged a youtube clip that I was introduced to a while back for a Friday night's vesper.  A small church had created what is now known as "cardboard testimonies," where individuals go up and reveal his/her secret struggle, and then later show what God has done for them on the opposite side of the cardboard.   These people have had uncontrollable addictions, the dirtiest habits, and secrets that some would deem not appropriate for even testimonial times.  It is so easy to dismiss these individuals and not truly appreciate and applaud their changed life, just because we don't know them or view them as unimpressive, compared to those who are in the spotlights in front of crowds.  Some individual's life may change 40°, someone else's maybe 180°; regardless, who are we to overlook and focus on an elite few with dramatic life changes?  It all boils down to realizing that lives are changing right around us.  The individuals behind this clip could quite possibly be a man you see at the grocery store or the lady you pass by in the mall.  Every life is a wondrous miracle and blessing; a life changed for the better, is simply the outward evidence of the miracle that was always within them.

The usual life changing story is of an individual being completely immersed in darkness, and then stepping out and remaining in the light for the rest of his/her life; however, Bernie Anderson's story was quite unique from the rest.  Bernie Anderson was a full-time Seventh-Day Adventist pastor, husband, father, and mentor.  What no one knew was that he was struggling with a deep addiction to pornography.  Here was a man, living two lives, who tried to make light and darkness coincide.  As I have yet to read the entire book, it is evident that by God's amazing grace and power, Pastor Anderson found the strength to break his bonds of addiction, and step forward with his testimony, trying to prevent others who may perhaps be struggling with the same issue.  I love Bernie Anderson's story in that it is uniquely refreshing and encouraging.  A 180° life change doesn't mean a person must be perfect from that point out.  Bernie Anderson, a pastor, had a major slip-up; yet, he was still able to find peace and refuge in Christ.  Some may think that Bernie had left God during those times of his life; however, I think God was right there next to him, and for him, when he was both struggling with his addiction and up on the pulpit.  With God, there are no second-chances because he will always give you another try.  All you have to do is believe and accept.


                                                       [ Kristin Chung ]