Great Commission Churches

The turning point in my life came on a day when I had to do something I dreaded. I had been sober for five months and was walking through the steps of AA. I had to get my life in order. It was a wreck.

I had one failed marriage to my name and was destroying my relationship with another woman (Kathi). I loved her and didn’t want to lose her, but my addictions were destroying me and those around me.

Now, I had admitted my powerlessness in the face of alcohol. I acknowledged that only a “higher power” could help me and I called out to God to deliver me. I wrote out my story detailing my life and where I had gone wrong, and now I was ready for the dreaded Step 5 – confessing it to another human. But to whom? Who would listen to me?

Kathi had made some friends with people who attended a bible study. One was a member of Grace Community Church. Kathi suggested that I make my public confession to the pastor of that church.

On the day I entered the church building I was extremely nervous. I didn’t want to enter a church environment as no one likes to be judged. I pulled out my confession and started reading it out loud. I started feeling remorse. Shame swept over me, as I realized what a terrible person I really was. But what amazed me was the pastor’s loving acceptance of me. Later on, I came to the church and put my faith in Jesus Christ.

Yes, I dreaded walking through the doors of that church many years ago, but I am so glad I did! I found the grace of God. Our lives are not marked by addictions and bad habits. We are children of God, saved by grace, changed by grace, growing by grace, and headed for an eternity of grace!