I was hitchhiking with Jonathan (another World Racer) last
night. (Don’t be too concerned; hitchhiking is normal here in Byron Bay and
pretty safe.) It was about 10:00pm and beginning to drizzle. Very few cars went
by, but finally one pulled-over. As we approached the car the man got out, so
Jonathan asked him, “Are you parking?” The man said, “Yes.” Then as he walked
away to get the cheapest soda in Byron Bay, he turned and asked us, “Where ya
going?” We said, “IGA,” which is the grocery store near the church we are
staying at. Then he said if we waited he could take us. This random, chance
encounter was definitely planned by God.
As we drove he told us the amazing story of his accepting
Christ. Paul had been a Heroin addict since he was 16 (He’ll be 50 in 3
months) and has spent 13 years in jail off and on for crimes committed to feed
his addition. His parents were Christians, but as aboriginals they also taught
Paul about Dreamtime (the aboriginal religion). He shared that it was only by
the grace of God and his parents’ faithful prayers that he is even alive today.
Paul’s mom died in a car accident (when Paul was about age
30) and at the time Paul was angry with God. He was filled with bitterness
toward God, that He would take his wonderful, godly mother and it distanced him
from God. Now, he realizes God was
sparing her from the pain of watching her son suffering addition and jail time.
Paul’s life had hit a major low this past year and the only thing he had left
was a tiny glimmer of hope. His father had always told him, “Without hope, you
have nothing.” So with the tiniest bit of hope he prayed for God to deliver him
from the obsession with drugs and about a week later God provided detox and
rehab. Paul has been drug free ever since and often is overwhelmed with
gratitude for God’s deliverance that brings him to tears. He said that he
wanted to share his amazing story of God’s plan for him to encourage us as we
do God’s good work. He said, “if you bring back even just one sheep to the
flock, it is worth it!” His story is a good reminder of why I’m here, doing
what I’m doing. Before we got out of the car he shared that there was a verse
that meant a lot to him: Jeremiah 29:11. He asked if we knew it, so I began,
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” “NEVER FORGET
THAT,” Paul replied a bit misty-eyed.
