Jeff was a young boy who loved the Lord. He gave his life to Christ when he was 14 years old and went to church every week. He meant everything he said and was a good example for his friends.
However, one day, Jeff started smoking cigarettes and smoking weed. He liked it a lot and started lying so he could go out and smoke weed with his friends. He knew that what he was doing was wrong, but he couldn’t stop himself.
When Jeff went off to college, everything changed. He stopped going to church and started drinking and partying. He did drugs and even stole money from his parents to support his habit. He was still a good student, but he was burning the candle at both ends.
After college, Jeff got a job as a programmer. He was still doing drugs and living for the weekends. He had two more jobs after that, and he was still living the same way.
One day, Jeff had a mental breakdown and ended up in the hospital. He was forced to quit drugs and felt awful. He went home to be with his parents.
Jeff was filled with shame and realized that he had gone astray. He knew that he needed to repent, so he started going to church again, reading the Bible, and praying every day.
At first, he was afraid that God couldn’t forgive him, but soon he found solace in God’s promises. With time, Jeff returned to the Lord and found God and himself.
Jeff’s story is a reminder that no matter how far we stray, God is always waiting for us to return. He is gracious and compassionate, and He will never turn His face from us if we come back to Him.
“For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn His face from you if you return to Him.”
2 Chronicles 30:9