Life Before Christ

Before I truly encountered God, my life was empty and directionless. I filled that emptiness with partying, alcohol, and crime. Robbing people — both innocent and not-so-innocent — became a daily habit. I was not just living recklessly; I was actively embracing darkness. I even began making music that glorified violence, using it as a platform to speak about what I was doing in the streets. At one point, I went as far as calling myself a demon. I accepted the idea that I was destined for hell, and in a twisted way, I embraced it. Still, there were moments when God tried to reach me. One night, at three in the morning, I felt a sudden and unexplainable urge to seek Him. I downloaded a Bible app, hoping to turn my life around. But soon after, tragedy struck. My cousin was stabbed and almost lost his life. As a fifteen-year-old in the middle of a gang war, my first instinct was not prayer but revenge. Though I never carried it out, the desire for vengeance hardened me, and from that day forward, I was never the same.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

A Season of Humiliation and Pain

My downward spiral continued. In June of one year, I was caught in a compromising situation at the Collingwood flats. My so-called friends kicked down the door during a sexual encounter, and dozens of cameras were suddenly pointed at me. The video went viral. For many, this kind of exposure would have been the end — humiliation, depression, and destruction. But somehow, God gave me the strength not to collapse. Instead of letting shame define me, I resolved to learn from it. It became another step on my journey, though at the time I did not fully understand where God was leading me.

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

My Turning Point in Uganda

The turning point of my life came when my mother took me to Uganda, Africa. Even there, I continued in destructive habits, vaping and smoking weed just to feel ‘normal.’ I reconnected with an old friend from Melbourne who had also been sent to Uganda. At first our meetups seemed harmless, but one day I sensed something was off. I went to our usual spot, waiting for him, but he never showed. The last thing I remember was listening to music and playing games on my phone. Suddenly, everything went black. I later learned he had knocked me unconscious and stolen from me. I don’t even know how I made it home that night. That moment of betrayal shook me. It forced me to confront the reality that I had no true friends and no real foundation. Out of desperation, I reopened the Bible app I had downloaded a year earlier. This time, I didn’t just skim the words — I gave my life fully to God.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18

Transformation Through Christ

When I surrendered, God began to show me who I really was. He reminded me that I was strong for not giving up, even after everything I had endured. Many would not have survived half of what I had been through. He showed me that my trials were not meant to destroy me but to prepare me for His purpose. I had once relied on weed to numb my pain, to feel like I had a reason to live. But God revealed that my worth and identity were never in substances, violence, or other people’s approval. My worth was in Him. I began to understand that I had a divine purpose. Even when I felt that my prayers were unanswered, God was listening. When I thought nobody understood my struggles, Heaven was counting my tears. When I felt alone, the truth was that God was sitting right next to me.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Struggles Along the Way

My faith journey has not been without setbacks. There were times when I slipped back into old habits. Some of those choices grieved God, and I felt His displeasure. Angering the Father is not something to take lightly. But unlike before, I no longer sinned without conviction. Actions that once felt normal to me in Australia began to fill me with disgust and shame. That in itself was proof that God’s Spirit was working within me. He opened my eyes to see the world as He sees it. Carrying the Holy Spirit brought me joy and peace, but it also attracted spiritual attacks. Darkness is always drawn to light. Yet I learned the truth of God’s promise: no weapon formed against me shall prosper.

“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.” – Isaiah 54:17

Betrayal in Kenya

Later, I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, to stay with my aunt. I did not know at the time that this trip would open my spiritual eyes even more. On the surface, everything seemed normal. My cousins were friendly, my friends were nearby, and life appeared to be settling down. But behind my aunt’s kind smiles and soft words were envy and betrayal. She spread lies about me, calling me manipulative and selfish. She sowed seeds of jealousy among my cousins, convincing them I did not deserve what I had. For a while I was unaware, but then I felt the shift in the atmosphere. Rooms grew silent when I entered; looks were cast at me with suspicion. I turned to God for wisdom, and He answered. Archangel Michael revealed to me what was being said and plotted behind my back. It may sound unbelievable, but I know what I experienced. From that moment, I was never the same.

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:14

Discovering My God-Given Identity

Through all of these trials, God revealed more about who I am. I began to understand my emotional depth and sensitivity as gifts: advanced emotional intelligence, empathy, and discernment. I was never meant to be ‘normal’ or simply blend in. My uniqueness is part of God’s calling. I came to see myself as a sacred soul living in a human body, chosen and gifted for a higher purpose than I could imagine. This understanding gave me strength to cut ties with people who did not respect or value me. I stopped wasting energy on those who drained me. I even deleted social media, and instead of feeling lonely, I felt peace. For the first time, I was content with myself and at peace with God’s plan.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9

My Message to You

My journey is only at the beginning, but I share it because I want others to know the truth. If you are reading this before Jesus returns, know this: Jesus is real. God is real. Whatever you are going through, you can overcome it. Do not let people tell you who you are meant to be. Be yourself and do what you love. Most importantly, put your faith and trust in God. If I could survive betrayal, violence, shame, addiction, and spiritual battles — and still find peace in Christ — then you can survive your trials too. Your prayers are not wasted. Your tears are not unseen. God hears, God sees, and God has a plan for your life. May God bless you.

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

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