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Key Bible Verse: You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand (Psalm 16:11). Bonus Reading: Jeremiah 31:18-19

At 16, I craved freedom. I dropped out of high school, got kicked out of my house and began living in a manner that I thought would satisfy. Six years later I began to realize how unsatisfied I was becoming. My so-called freedom had made me a slave to desires and habits that were quickly destroying me. The world had lied to me. Power, pleasure and popularity had not satisfied the way I'd anticipated. I was empty and lonely.

So I turned to God. I was broken and desperately needed fixing; who better to turn to than my own personal Creator and Designer. Alone in my Florida apartment, I got on my knees and asked God's forgiveness. I begged him to change me.

Life is quite different now. Things I used to live for and found significance in don't matter anymore; and things I used to run away from, I'm hungry for. God has not taken away my excitement; He has changed what it is that I get excited about. For the first time in my life I'm content. I feel whole and complete. God has taught me that only He can satisfy our eternal longing for pleasure and peace.

—Tim Burke in Prodigals and Those Who Love Them

• What would it take for you to be content?

Thought to Apply:It takes a radical break to turn a man from earth's trash to heaven's treasure.

—VANCE HAVNER (late North Carolina preacher)

Credits: Adapted from—Friday: Prodigals and Those Who Love Them (Baker, 1991)

Copyright © 2000 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity. For reprint information click here.

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