Something I often thank God for is how he has given my life meaning. As I look back on my life, there have been so many times my life could have gone a different direction. If you were to ask those who knew me when I was a teen or in my twenties who would be least likely to be where I am in life now, it would have probably be a unanimous answer of me.

I share the sentiment of Paul in 1st Corinthians 15:9

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God

I am certainly no apostle, but understand how Paul felt. He had persecuted the church, had people killed and put in jail for being Christians. Yet by God’s grace, he became the foremost apostle when it came to spreading the gospel and planting churches as well as writing many epistles.

As the son of an alcoholic father and mentally ill mother, as an angry teen and young man who messed up a lot in life, my path was headed to destruction, but Jesus intervened. He changed me. I share a lot about that in my book Lifted Out of The Pit/Called to The Nations. It is available on Amazon- Lifted Out of The Pit/Called to The Nations.

By God’s grace, I have had the privilege of sharing Jesus with people from many countries, have been blessed to travel on eleven ministry trips to other countries, and taught numerous people. No one would have guessed it possible if they knew me when I was a teen or in my twenties.

I never became rich. In the eyes of the world perhaps I would be a failure in life. But in God’s eyes, my life has great meaning. He has blessed me with helping churches in Brazil, France, Mexico, and Romania. He has blessed me with helping new churches in my city, Hispanic churches, a Ukrainian church, a Karen People church, a Sudanese church, and a Korean church.

What is something you are thankful for?

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

26 responses to “Thankful God Gave My Life Meaning”

  1. Wow, powerful words, excellent delivery.

    1. Thank you little sister.
      How are you this week?

      1. I am trying to keep a positive attitude

  2. Today, I am thankful for today!! As I sit this morning after finishing up some classwork: I think of all God’s goodness and how I am yet here to experience His grace and people like you. Thank you for sharing your story, it was touching and parts familiar. As I too, grew up with a “functioning alcoholic” father and a mother that was quite emotionally absent. I will be buying your book today, look forward to reading it.

    Blessed Mornings!!

    1. Thank you little sister. I rejoice you have overcome. Classwork- student or teacher?

      1. You’re welcome, a student, working on Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice/Human Service and Advocacy.

      2. You will be a great advocate

  3. I love this, very simple and to the point yet extremely powerful! Reminds me that a testimony doesn’t need all the deep details, just brief and pointing to Jesus!! You did just that in a few minutes worth of reading… I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on how to give my testimony without an overuse of words and details, I’m not quite there yet….Reading your post was inspiring, Matt.

    1. You have an amazing testimony little sister of Jesus helping you overcome

      1. It’s just really looooooong but I’ll figure out what to include and what isn’t necessary

  4. Amazing how God has worked in your life and works through you

  5. So true! Like the song by Andrew Ripp, “Where would I be if it wasn’t for the love of God?”

    1. Amen
      If it wasn’t for God, I shudder to think where I would be

  6. It’s wonderful that God lifted you from the pit and has taken you on so many meaningful adventures. I guess my story, which I’m thankful for, would be how God took a very insecure, shy and lonely child and gave her family and community in him and continues to work on my confidence and giving me a voice. I still want to be used by God to speak through my writing and hopefully through my new career as an Early Childhood Educator, to His glory.

    Love you dad! Thanks for adopting me. ❤😊

    1. I am proud of you sweet daughter. You have overcome with Jesus’s help.

      1. Definitely with Jesus’s help!

  7. Hallelujah and a big AMEN ❤ JESUS-YESHUA LOVES YE ALL ( https://kristiann1.com/2014/11/20/tgusa/ )!!

    I am a Devout Conservative Christian ✝ Republican in our Judeo-Christian Nation United States of America 🇺🇸🇺🇸 USA and I STAND with the HOLY LAND of Israel-Yisrael🇮🇱 🇮🇱of Israel!! “Pray Without Ceasing” ( I Thessalonians 5:17 KJV ) For USA and Israel-Yisrael and our Christian Earth Forevermore!!

    I am leaving my House I own in Troutdale, Oregon November 12th. 2023 too visit my 84 year old mom Marion who lives in Fortuna California. it’s just about 10 miles south of Eureka California for THANKSGIVING and I will Not be back until the End of November!! I takes me a good 8 hours too drive from my house to my moms house!! I own a Fully Loaded Volkswagen Passat SEL!!!

    Happy Shabbat Shalom ( Peaceful Sabbath ) Everyone!! Also, Happy Shavua Tov ( Good Week ) Everyone!! 💕 Shalom ( Peace ) Everyone!!

    Shalom Aleichem and Mazel Tov Everyone!! 💕

    I Love 💕 you all Everyone through Jesus-Yeshua Christ, because 💕 HE LOVED EVERYONE FIRST 💕!! Praise Jesus-Yeshua Christ for Today and Everyday!!

    GOD BLESS YOU ALL ✝️ !!

    Love 💕 Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/

    Kristi 1611 AV

  8. The passage of time offers a look back, no matter our stage of life. In reflecting on my sixty-seven years, I could have never imagined this journey back in my 20s. God has been working on me for the entire trip, and He’s still at it. Amen.

    1. It is an adventure to journey with God

  9. Praise God for His amazing grace!! You are such an encouragement, Matt.

    1. Thank you Patty
      Are you getting ready for the holidays?

      1. Barely beginning to get ready. 😊

  10. A beautiful testament of your journey in life

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