From Addiction to Redemption

My name is Zachary Taylor, I have a wife and a newborn and served in active duty in the infantry as a Marine for six years. I’ve been battling addiction with alcohol and drugs for a while, but am happy to say that I am currently completely sober. I love the Lord and am forever grateful for the works and miracles He’s shown and the forgiveness and grace He’s given even though I didn’t deserve it. My life is His unconditionally and I am very excited to show that in my baptism!

I grew up religious and for a long time claimed I was a Christian. In reality I don’t believe I had an understanding of what that truly meant. During my time in the military I was known as the “Christian guy.” I would talk about God, I wouldn’t cuss, I would share the Bible, but I was essentially wearing a mask that I didn’t even realize. Behind closed doors I was filled with so much hatred for myself and anger against God. I became increasingly self destructive, drinking enough to blackout in any given night. I should be dead, but God kept me alive. I cursed Him and claimed He didn’t love or care for me. I dove into pills and would mix pills and alcohol most nights I blacked out. This became my normal routine.

The whole time I was making decisions for myself, claiming they were God’s, and then hating and blaming God when my situation got worse. The devil was speaking to me and I was listening and believing every word of it. God continued to show Himself to me but I wouldn’t pay any attention. Several times, I would take enough pills and alcohol with the intent to end my own life. Every single time I woke up with every symptom of an overdose except death and somehow would recover just fine. Through all the continuous patience and love he showed me, I still had nothing but anger for him. I felt that I deserved nothing but pain and suffering and now that God kept me alive so many times, I believed that He thought so too. I went away from Him completely. I then decided that He would no longer be a part of my life, until one day during a conversation with my mom that had nothing much to do with my faith, something within the conversation impacted me and made me realize that I had been in the wrong. The next time I went to my barracks room, I prayed to God and for the first time in my life I truly repented of my sins and asked God to forgive me. That night I gave my life to Christ. Instantly the world literally became brighter and I broke down crying with the amount of love and acceptance I felt. I gave God nothing but hatred, blamed him for everything, did nothing but put him down, and yet without hesitation he welcomed me in and showered me with love, forgiveness, and grace. It says in Romans 10:10-13 “For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in foundation. For the scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for ‘Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

Since the night I gave my life to Christ, I have continued to build my relationship with Him, felt a massive weight lifted off my body, and I’ve finally been able to feel a sense of peace with myself and the things that happen in my life. I do still battle with addiction, mental health, and my view of myself, but God still remains right next to me the entire way. He brings me back into the light and reminds me that I’m not alone. Almost immediately after giving my life to Christ, I met my wife at church and we now have welcomed a new beautiful baby boy into this world! God is very much prevalent in our lives, continually blessing us and showing us grace.

I have felt a calling from God to be baptized and want to truly commit myself to Christ. I want to show my friends and family my commitment as well, and want to be an example to everyone how loving, patient, and forgiving God is. It doesn’t matter how dirty your home may be, if you welcome Him in Jesus will always clean it.