2008 Woodie Awards
ON FAITH: Why I am a Christian
"'What? No drinking, drugs or sex? Where's the fun in that?' Are we ever really happy with those things?"
Mike Langan
Issue date: 12/6/05 Section: Life
Hi, my name is Mike Langan. I have five large tattoos, pierced ears, I play the piano, football and ultimate Frisbee. I go to the gym, listen to music and enjoy hanging out with friends. I used to do drugs, get drunk and sleep around. Above all of that, I'm a CHRISTIAN.
You can't recognize me as a Christian by looking at me. Walking
past me you wouldn't know that I just spent the best parts of my day in
prayer and reading my Bible. I won't bombard you with Scripture and I'm not approaching you to condemn you to hell. You can't recognize my Christian brothers and sisters by their appearances either. They're in your classes and you may speak to them regularly and think that they're cool. This isbecause we're ordinary people living extraordinary lives.
It wasn't always this way for me. Growing up, my family life
was miserable and I had no friends. My parents almost got divorced, and I had no self esteem. In high school I began to drink my problems away, and sleeping around made me feel OK until immediately after when I was flooded with guilt. I had convinced myself that this was how happiness felt. I became angrier, more depressed and less alive. I woke up every morning feeling empty inside, like I had a big hole in my heart. Once I got to college I made and lost two groups of friends, tried to transfer three times and continued to drink myself stupid, while regularly sleeping with a new girl. But hey this is college, right? That's just "how it is." Well, during this time I also tried to kill myself twice. Turns out that all of the drugs, alcohol and sex made me feel *emptier*. Just as my life was bottoming out, I was presented with the Gospel by people that actually cared about me even before they knew me. I surrendered my life to God and accepted Jesus as the Lord of my life. God called me out of my so-called life to show me real life.
That was last October and after just one year I have zero anger and depression issues, no addictions, and more abundant life than I could have
ever found myself. Only God could've done this. "What? No drinking, drugs or sex? Where's the fun in that?" Are we ever really happy with those things?
Have you ever felt that moment of shame and guilt, knowing there must be something more? There is! There is freedom, fulfillment and a future unlike anything you'll ever find through a bottle, a joint, or a condom. God loves you whether you love Him or not. He desires a relationship with you though you may have been running from Him all your life. I ran for nineteen years and God broke through at just the right time. No matter what you think or do, nothing will ever change the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross just
for you.
Jesus Christ purchased freedom for us all on the cross. No matter what you've done or how you've lived God will take you back. He is waiting with open arms full of
forgiveness and love.
"On Faith" is a continuing feature encouraging UNCG students of many faiths to have a dialogue about their systems of belief.
If you'd like to write an "On Faith"
column drop us a line at
www.carolinianonline.com
You can't recognize me as a Christian by looking at me. Walking
past me you wouldn't know that I just spent the best parts of my day in
prayer and reading my Bible. I won't bombard you with Scripture and I'm not approaching you to condemn you to hell. You can't recognize my Christian brothers and sisters by their appearances either. They're in your classes and you may speak to them regularly and think that they're cool. This isbecause we're ordinary people living extraordinary lives.
It wasn't always this way for me. Growing up, my family life
was miserable and I had no friends. My parents almost got divorced, and I had no self esteem. In high school I began to drink my problems away, and sleeping around made me feel OK until immediately after when I was flooded with guilt. I had convinced myself that this was how happiness felt. I became angrier, more depressed and less alive. I woke up every morning feeling empty inside, like I had a big hole in my heart. Once I got to college I made and lost two groups of friends, tried to transfer three times and continued to drink myself stupid, while regularly sleeping with a new girl. But hey this is college, right? That's just "how it is." Well, during this time I also tried to kill myself twice. Turns out that all of the drugs, alcohol and sex made me feel *emptier*. Just as my life was bottoming out, I was presented with the Gospel by people that actually cared about me even before they knew me. I surrendered my life to God and accepted Jesus as the Lord of my life. God called me out of my so-called life to show me real life.
That was last October and after just one year I have zero anger and depression issues, no addictions, and more abundant life than I could have
ever found myself. Only God could've done this. "What? No drinking, drugs or sex? Where's the fun in that?" Are we ever really happy with those things?
Have you ever felt that moment of shame and guilt, knowing there must be something more? There is! There is freedom, fulfillment and a future unlike anything you'll ever find through a bottle, a joint, or a condom. God loves you whether you love Him or not. He desires a relationship with you though you may have been running from Him all your life. I ran for nineteen years and God broke through at just the right time. No matter what you think or do, nothing will ever change the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross just
for you.
Jesus Christ purchased freedom for us all on the cross. No matter what you've done or how you've lived God will take you back. He is waiting with open arms full of
forgiveness and love.
"On Faith" is a continuing feature encouraging UNCG students of many faiths to have a dialogue about their systems of belief.
If you'd like to write an "On Faith"
column drop us a line at
www.carolinianonline.com
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