009 - How Christ Changed Me From a Prosecutor to His Follower

On today’s episode of Changing, we’re joined by Michael Simmons. An account executive at Atris Technologies, Michael tells us his story of departure and return to a life following Christ. 

How did Michael grow apart from Jesus?

• Michael grew up in south Georgia, where attending church was a Sunday staple for just about every family.

• While church was a weekly family activity, his father’s untimely death from lung cancer led Michael to an abusive situation with his step-father.

• Feeling betrayed and angry, Michael didn’t understand how God could exist in a life of chaos and abuse. He stopped regularly attending church and largely renounced his relationship with Christ.

What changed?

• It wasn’t until his late 20s that Michael finally began to let go of his feelings of anger and betrayal.

• He was now a working professional, yet he still felt empty despite attaining money and a successful life.

• Michael thought back to what made him happy as a child and realized it was when he had a strong relationship with Jesus.

• After going back to church, Michael realized that material possesses fade, but a relationship with God will last forever.

Michael developed his relationship with God.

• God didn’t force Michael to follow him because God doesn’t take away your agency. Instead, God gave Michael the gentle nudge needed to get back on the right path.

• Michael admits that people are often afraid to deal with issues they don’t want to talk about. But even if they think nobody is listening, God always is. And if you have problems, you don’t have to deal with them alone.

• Some people think they have to be a certain way to go to church. But God doesn’t expect perfection; God uses rejected people to transform the world. Jesus says, “come as you are,” and God will do the rest.

If Michael’s story resonates with you, reach out to him on LinkedIn or email at msimmons@atris.com.

MUSIC CREDIT: Audio Jungle
(Note: This podcast is not an official podcast of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)