Savage2Saint Sobriety Oct 21, 2026

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, - Philippians 3:13 (KJV).

I've been living for the Lord for 1,663 days or 4.55 years.

That comes on the heels of me living for myself for 16,333.75 days or 44.75 years. About the time I start thinking that I've been living for God for a really long time, I have to remind myself that I've still spent over 90% of my life lost and without Jesus.

Now to be fair, I've had periods of living for Jesus that ended too soon, but those times were usually followed up by longer periods of being lost and undone, with each cycle being worse than the one before it.

I was recently asked what I thought was the main contributing factor that has kept me upright and out of the gutter for the last 4.5 years. I immediately said Jesus. That is 100% the reason, but as I thought on it further, I realized that the difference in living for God now and before was this: purpose.

I started walking in the purpose He created me for. The very definition of purpose is the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. The reason Jesus redeemed me from a life of being bound, bruised, and broken was to reach others who are still suffering in addiction. Shevon and I both found our purpose in Compass Recovery.

Before Compass Recovery, I got involved teaching Celebrate Recovery at my church.

Before that, I wrote letters for fellow inmates in prison to receive Bibles. We were all created for a purpose, so if you want to be successful in living for God, staying sober, and walking in God's Will for your life then find your purpose.

Get involved with a ministry. Volunteer. Start a ministry. Throw yourself into a mission and pour into others. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. - Hebrews 6:10 (NIV). How we serve Him is a direct reflection of how we love Him.

I'll never be able to outlive my past, but it will pale in comparison to a life in eternity with Jesus. That's why Paul tells us to forget yesterday, press into today, and reach for tomorrow.

There's always going to be one more person who needs to hear how Jesus can change their life, one more person that you can pour into, and one more person to make a difference in their life.

There is nothing you will ever do for Jesus that will be wasted. Find your purpose and you will find your abundant life!

God Bless!