Getting the Most
Mike's life story

"The first thing I remember is wanting to be president of the US," recalls Mike.

Of course, as he got older, Mike gave up on this idea. Still, he wanted to get the most out of life. He thought the way to do that was by being involved in lots of things.

In high school Mike had been student council president, involved in sports, and in a national honor society. When he graduated, Mike was voted outstanding student of the year. "I thought that was great," says Mike. "But I still felt empty inside. I thought there must be more to life than this."

In the business of getting off to university that feeling passed, and once Mike was at university, the same pattern emerged.

"I did lots of 'stuff' and received another award," says Mike. "Again the feeling of 'there must be more' returned. I remembered a question my sister had asked me. My sister had become a Christian and asked me if I had ever 'invited Christ into my heart?' I had no idea what she was talking about."

Later a friend of Mike's sister explained that being a Christian was having a relationship with God.

"She explained that God loves us," Mike says. "And because of sin we are separated from Him. That is why Jesus came to die for me. He was taking my place, paying for my sins. I had always hoped that God loved me and was sure that I was a sinner. I never really thought about Jesus' death in a personal way, that he died for me."

She went on to say that it is like Jesus is knocking at the door of his life and that, if he wanted to, Mike could ask Him to come into his life by simply talking and praying to God. If he did invite Him in, He would forgive Mike's sins, give him eternal life, and guide and direct him through this life.

"I thought what a good deal! I give up my guilt and emptiness for a relationship with God," says Mike.

This sounded good, and in the next few months Mike began to see radical changes.

"As I began to understand God's love and forgiveness it motivated me to love myself and others in a new way," says Mike. "This had a significant impact on everything I did. I had greater confidence and regard for others."

One relationship that was dramatically changed for Mike was his relationship with his father. "He was an alcoholic and was very abusive when he drank, even to the point of my mother having to go to the hospital," says Mike. "I had a lot of anger and bitterness towards him. I began to think that if God forgave me and loved me I had no right to not forgive and love my dad."

The day finally came when Mike looked his dad in the face and was finally able to say, "I love you."

"It was a tearful moment that lead to a new relationship," says Mike. "My dad died awhile ago. I'm so grateful for the time and the change God made and continues to make in that and many other relationships."

Mike had said that he wanted to get the most out of life, and now it seems he's figured out how to do that. "It's not through business or achievement but through a relationship with God," says Mike. "He designed life and holds all the secrets to life. Letting Him guide and direct me through this maze of life has filled that emptiness."

Talk about being involved!