LAR – Joseph Mantynen – September 21st, 2020
American Dream
By: Joseph Mantynen
My life before Christ was full of pain, anger, and lack of appreciation. I had what I thought was a good life and I considered myself a good guy. I had a career as a firefighter, money, my own house, toys, and vacations; all to share with my family that I loved very much. I did not need help from anyone and many people looked up to me. I had the “American Dream.”
That is just it, though! Everything I had was temporal, I was the world. I lived for me. All I had was selfish. I did not care about others and the good that I did was to glorify myself. When life is based on a weak foundation and a storm comes, life will fall apart.
After I accepted Christ into my life wholeheartedly, hungering to know his truth and trying to draw near to Him, my life changed drastically. Incarceration of the body means nothing. Spiritually, I am alive!
I now have a purpose in my life; and that is, to pick up my cross daily and serve Christ. I have peace, love, hope, and forgiveness now. As undesirable as my current situation is, I am extremely grateful for God humbling me and allowing me to come to prison. I enjoy denying self and helping those God puts on my heart.
Walking with Christ is the most rewarding, gracious life possible and I cannot put into words how grateful I am to be a Christian.