I was born into a broken world. Into a broken family. My parents divorced when I was
only 3, my father walked away from us, and my mother, sister and I moved into public housing in a poor suburb in western Sydney. We lived from hand to mouth for years, and I watched as the people around me succumbed to drug addiction, alcoholism, and other evils.
Growing up in such an environment is a real challenge; do you stay clean and struggle upward or dive into the filth and accept your lot?
Mum always encouraged, always cared, always struggled upwards, so I did too, and it cost me, dearly. I saw the brokenness in the world, in my community, in my family, and I took it on as being my fault. I chose to care, but I had no way to deal with the burdens that come with such a choice. By age 15 I was depressed, lonely, and suicidal. The only reason I never attempted to take my own life was because of how much I knew it would hurt my mother. Instead, I thought of ways I could die like a hero, to lessen her pain.
But God had other plans.
The LORD Almighty spoke to me, and He said "Come to me. Come to me, or you won't make it through." I couldn't turn to Jesus on my own, I saw no redeeming aspect of who I was, but when he called me, then I could and did respond.
Yes, I was born into a broken world. I was born into a broken family. But today, at 33 years of age I look at the brokenness and I see hope. I see God at work. I see a future more bright and glorious than anything I could ever dream, and I know that I have a part to play in this.
I am a messenger of YHWH, the Lord God Almighty, and my message to you is Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Come to Jesus, and you will find a peace in Him that you cannot find anywhere else.
Yours for the Good News of God's Love,
Ben Pratt