Billy had lost his way from a young age. After being bullied and trying and failing to fit into a new school, alcohol seemed to be the answer. From the age of twelve, alcohol and drugs would be his constant, while delving into sex and pornography. Not an unusual story for teens and young adults.
His world became darker and he couldn’t find answers. A friend called him oney day to try out some new dirt bikes; something he had loved years earlier. He wanted to pass his friend and drove the bike over a jump in the process. He lost control and another bike hit him, paralyzing him instantly.
Not only was he paralyzed, but his vertebrae bent into his aorta and he had to have a surgery that may have cost him his life. At that time, he didn’t care. Dying sounded preferable to the pain he suffered. As he came to and resided in the hospital for two months, he tried to find ways to fill the void in his life.
Now sober, he worked with spinal injuray groups, read self-help books, and still came up empty. He downloaded a Bible and decided to begin in Genesis and read it through. As He read God's Word, his heart began to soften and one night, he experienced a vivid dream.
The dream began as a nightmare, reliving his past mistakes and being chased by demonic figures. As he ran, he found himself suddenly in a peaceful place. In the peaceful garden-like place, he was led to a tombstone with a Celtic cross on the top, with a soft glow behind it.
In the dream, he spoke the name Jesus Christ. As he awoke he felt peace, wondering what had just happened. He opened his Bible to the book of Job, right where he had left off in his reading. The verses “just happened” to be about God speaking through dreams, with warnings, just exactly what he had experienced!
He would find a post written by his cousin about their grandpa, who has passed away one year earlier. Billy found out later that day, that the time of his dream was the exact time his grandfather had passed away. He insisted on visiting his grandfather’s grave, something he had not yet done. And there, at the head of the site was the tombstone with the Celtic cross on top, the same one he had seen in his dream.
His life has been absolutely transformed from that day forward. Now, years later, his prayers have been answered; prayers to meet new friends, to find a church and to deepen his faith. He is now a missionary serving with others from his church.
Billy knows that Jesus understands his suffering. Jesus meets us where we are, forgives us for wherever we have been and sets us on His path to a future filled with hope. Billy knows people believe his life is so much worse now that he is paralyzed, but he responds with the fact that he has never been happier or more at peace.
Powerful testimony. Through darkness into light. From suffering to hope. From chaos to peace. Only Jesus.
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Father,
We thank You for sending Your Son to suffer and die for us. He understands everything we experience and meets us right there, day by day, moment by moment with grace and truth. Thank You for Billy’s testimony and continue to bless him.
In Jesus name,
Amen
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