WRITTEN BY CHERYL WELLS
I listened to a podcast today from someone that told their story of recovery and redemption. I got their blessing to tell their story because they said that God uses their mess as a message every day. This was a story of a couple that I have known for more than 15 years from the Siouxland area. They have since moved away because of a need for a do over, a fresh start. It was so beautiful to hear Ryan Collins talk about his need for humility and how it changed everything for the better. The very thing that he thought would end his marriage and his reputation was what turned things for good. The grace of God came in and redeemed his life about 4 years ago as Ryan took responsibility for his own actions and how that wrecked his family. The amazing love and grace of God is continuing to change him today because that is the truth of the gospel. In true repentance and sorrow for his sin, God has given Ryan a heart after Him.
“God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” (Acts 13:22, NIV)
Ryan and Stef are living out the truth of the gospel in their individual lives and in their marriage because they have decided to forgive and to trust Jesus for grace every day. They have also decided to work on the issues that have hurt them and others, as well as talking openly about it. They have allowed what was so ugly and embarrassing to be exposed. Ryan talks about how he thought that being honest about the very things that he thought would end his marriage did the opposite.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9, NIV)
The grace of God is changing Ryan and Stefanie and He is changing me. Romans 12:2 says, “do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. I love hearing someone else’s story of deep life change that was a result of heart transformation. I have told my story of coming to receive Christ many years ago and how my life was radically changed by the power of the cross of Christ. What Jesus did for us by giving His life as a ransom for ours is the grace that will continue to keep changing us little by little throughout our life here on earth. We aren’t changed and perfected immediately because we still live in a body of flesh. That struggle will continue until we go to eternity with Him, but our “status” changes immediately as the God of the universe comes into us and our spirit is made alive through Jesus.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, and the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)
Ryan talks in the podcast about the struggle within him about his identity and how he tried to protect himself. He was afraid to be honest about what he knew he had done and we all can want to protect our “status”. But Ryan now knows that he is forgiven and that in God’s eyes he is new and all the things from the past are gone because of Jesus. He is a new person with a new identity in Christ that can’t be taken away. Jesus paid the price for his new life.
What I appreciate most about Ryan’s openness is how it reminds us that life continues and that real recovery and transformation are ongoing. They didn’t move away and hide, but they did what was best for their family and their marriage and they are truly recovering as a family. He is still talking about it and working on his own issues, as well as being in a recovery group where he is honest and has accountability. When we do that with God and we trust God with the details and fallout, it is so holy and so honoring to Him. I want to hold Ryan and Stef up as a trophy of God’s grace. Nothing is impossible with God and He shines through in all of this. Thanks for sharing your story Ryan and you are truly a man of God that has been given grace upon grace.
“For out of His fullness (the superabundance of His grace and truth) we have all received (grace upon grace, spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift).” (John 1:16, AMP)
“…not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25, AMP)
CLICK HERE to listen to Ryan’s story on ‘Choose Recovery Services’ podcast.
