North Dakota

Eddie’s Return to Faith

Eddie* was lost in thought as he drove along the highway. The road before him seemed like an endless ribbon of asphalt leading nowhere. His recent breakup weighed heavily on his mind, and the moral failures that followed only deepened his sense of despair. As he drove, the landscape blurred past, offering nothing.

Then suddenly, Eddie’s eyes were drawn to a billboard looming beside the road. The message was simple yet powerful. Below the message was a toll-free number: 83-FOR-TRUTH. The number seemed to leap out at him, capturing his attention and fueling his curiosity and a spark of hope. Eddie grabbed his phone and dialed the number.

“83-FOR-TRUTH, how can I help you today?” The voice on the other end was calm and reassuring. Eddie hesitated for a moment, then poured out his story. He explained how he had been raised Catholic, drifted into agnosticism, and recently decided to return to his faith. Despite believing in God, Eddie felt abandoned and alone, especially after his breakup.

The phone team member listened attentively, sensing the depth of Eddie’s struggle. “It sounds like you’re going through a lot, Eddie,” he said. “It’s clear that you’re seeking something deeper, a connection that’s been missing.”

Eddie nodded, though the team member couldn’t see it. “I know God exists, but it feels like He’s not there for me anymore,” he said.

“Let’s talk about that,” the team member replied. “Have you ever heard about the concept of new birth in Jesus?”

Eddie admitted he hadn’t, and the team member began to explain. They discussed sin and its consequences, the sacrifices of the Old Testament, and how John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Eddie listened intently, his heart opening to the message. “Jesus died and rose again so that we might have a new life,” the team member continued. “When we repent and believe in Him, we are born again, and Jesus comes to live in us through the Holy Spirit.” The explanation deeply touched Eddie. “I want that for my life,” he said quietly. “But I think I need to learn more first.”

“That’s completely okay,” the team member assured him. “I’ll send you some literature that can help you understand more about this journey. And if you ever need to talk, you can reach me at this extension.”

They prayed together, and our team member sent Eddie links to e-literature and a text with his contact information. As Eddie continued his drive, a new sense of hope filled his heart. For the first time in a long while, he felt that God had heard and He had helped.

*Names in this publication are changed to protect identities.


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