Dana and her family are living proof that God is able
to restore and redeem that which was lost.
On the drive home, I couldn’t help but
wonder what would happen to her. Would she
even live through the night? So many don’t. My
resolve to be a light in the darkness grew shaky,
and I wanted to give up. Could I really make a
difference? Then, I remembered all those who
had kept their resolve to help me. I strengthened
myself in prayer.
I thought about my life today and how my
story could have been so different. If it had not
been for all the people who stepped in to assist
me, pray for me, and shine God’s light of love for
me during my most vulnerable times, I wouldn’t
be alive today. I am so thankful for their sacrifice.
I ran often from the ones who loved me, from
the very ones who could help me find freedom
from my bondage. I remember one time in
particular. I had just completed a detox program
and rehab successfully (at this North Carolina
center, in fact). All I needed to do was appear
in court before the New York judge to complete
some paperwork, then I would be free to rebuild
my life.
I was three months clean, and I felt good. But
the night before my family and I left for New
York, thoughts bombarded my mind. I warned
my family to watch me closely, but they didn’t
ReaL fReeDom coMes by ruNniNg To The onE wHo CamE tO sAve yoU, By
TruStiNg The onE wHo CreAteD yOu. ruN tHroUgh hiS dOor, nOt The doOr
Of The woRld, aNd ThiS tIme, iT cAn Be DifFerEnt.
understand the strength of the pull. The voices
grew louder the day of my court appearance.
“Run. Run! If you run now,” they urged, “you can
get some dope and feel so good.”
The short of the story is this—as soon as the
judge said, “Time served,” I excused myself for
the bathroom and ran. I ran down the courthouse
stairs and jumped into a taxi. My arthritic father
ran behind me, crying and yelling my name. It
was a devastating image that I wish I could forget.
I extended my drug and prostitution career for
three more years, while completely breaking my
family’s hearts.
Unless you’ve been there, it’s hard to
understand how something could have so much
power over a person. I’m telling you, the pull is
hard to resist. The effects of the drugs combine
with your flesh nature, and the enemy’s lies
attack every part of your being. Negative, hateful,
deceptive thoughts bombard you, reminding you
of all your failures. Guilt, shame, past hurts—it
feels like the world is on your shoulders and you
just need to escape.
For an addict, running always seems the easiest
way to freedom, but in reality, it just enslaves the
runner further to the whims of the enemy. Satan
speaks, and the addict follows.
I learned the hard way that you can run out
the doors of detox centers, you can run down the
streets of your city, but unless you are running
with Jesus, you’ll never be free, and you’ll never
find peace. Without Him, you have no spiritual
safety net and no weapons for the battle.
I found true peace, freedom, and victory in
2002, when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior.
It happened one night at my sister’s church in
Greenville, North Carolina.
My parents had allowed me back into their
home with conditions, one of which was
attending church. Now, I hadn’t been to church
in probably 23 years, and I was withdrawing from
methadone. My sister should have known better
than to perch me right up on the front row. I must
have gotten up from the pew ten times during
that service to go to the bathroom, smoke a
cigarette, or pace the hallway.
I had been out of the service for quite a while,
when I returned to the pew and heard Pastor
Van say, “If you were to die tonight on your way
home, are you 100 percent certain that you would
go to heaven? If not, wouldn’t you like to be?”
Who in their right mind wouldn’t want to know
that? I thought. So I raised my hand. Then he told
those who’d raised our hands to come forward.
I punched my sister in the ribs and asked, “You
coming with me?” She was shocked.
I met Jesus Christ that night and accepted
His free gift of salvation. No, I didn’t see Him
personally, but I saw Him in the face of Mrs.
Diane, the lady who prayed with me, and I saw
Him in my sister, who had loved me through so
much pain. From that moment, I was delivered
from addiction, and I have walked in complete
freedom ever since.
Now, I’m not saying my life is without problems.
What I am saying is that, in Christ, I no longer fight
my battles in my own strength. He gives me His
strength and the powerful weapons that destroy
every work of the enemy. (See Ephesians 6.)
I no longer have to run. I don’t crumble beneath
the weight of my problems. The God who is my
Helper takes my heavy loads and carries them for
me. He takes my anxiety and fear and gives me
His peace and courage. He gives me hope.
Now, instead of listening to the voice of the
enemy, I hear the Voice of Truth, the Holy Spirit
who counsels me and keeps me secure. He is the
safety net that catches me when I fall and lovingly
helps me stand.
I serve a God of second, third, and fourth
chances. Honestly, that’s my biggest area of
freedom—simply understanding that I don’t
have to be perfect. God’s got me covered. He
incorporates my failures, successes, bumps,
bruises, and beauty into His divine purpose for
me. He truly does work all things out for good.
I still make mistakes, but now my failures don’t
defeat me. Instead, they’re opportunities to learn
and building blocks up to where I am going.
continued on page 19
Photography by Montana Burkett of Montana Burkett Photography kojministries.org Issue 1 2018 9
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