The Testimony of a Wayward Musician

We were four siblings and were raised by my mother and father. My father was an important and senior officer in government service and, as such could not devote much time to us. The responsibility fell squarely on the shoulders of my mother, who did all she could to bring us up as good Christians. After the death of my grandfather and since my father was frequently transferred, it was decided that we should settle in our ancestral home in Allahabad, India.

The influence of my mother was perhaps strongest on me. I loved going to church and attending prayer meetings. Since I was reasonably good in studies, sports, and music, these activities did not impinge on my educational obligations. I learned how to play the guitar and much to my satisfaction, played in praise and honour of the Lord. I took an active part with children in singing songs and telling Bible stories.

As time went by, things were not the same. I got to learn the sitar and got sucked into paganism. I attended a rock concert of local musicians and became so enamoured that I decided to have a rock band of my own. I embarked on this mission and finally managed to get a drummer, a bassist, and a rhythm guitarist. Everything was in order and we started practicing. Along with this, another thing started. Dope, booze, and wayward living became the order of the day. The band did well and we made money on the side. I freelanced with two other bands. I continued with my studies and ended up with a Ph.D. in finance. Since music at that time could not provide a comfortable livelihood, I decided to write various competitive examinations to get a job.  I finally ended up with one of the finest jobs in the country.

Despite all the blessings of the Lord, my wayward lifestyle continued. During this period, I had a strange dream. In this dream I was watching the TV, when all of a sudden, I saw Jesus who was very angry with me appear on the screen, He said – “How long is it going to take you to change your life?” This was a clear warning, but I continued in my ways. I met a non-Christian girl and married her. I had two daughters. Boozing became a daily habit and so was violent living. Despite all this, the Lord blessed me with promotions and money and never left my side.

Time flew on and I saw a lot of postings. In one such incident, I was posted as in - charge of two districts far away from my family. Here my wayward living became worse. After two years, I started becoming unwell. Thus, a long medical journey started. I visited the best of hospitals and underwent the best of tests. The doctors could find nothing wrong. Meantime I started losing weight tremendously and could not eat anything. Soon I became skin and bones. I was finally referred to the ‘Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences.’ My condition became worse and finally, the doctors told me that I probably had cancer of the liver. My world came crashing down and I started putting my house in order and made arrangements to take care of my family.

As I was working in my office one day, a strange man came in. He bowed down and requested me to spare some time. He got slightly wary when he saw so many people waiting to meet me. I motioned to him and he came near. I asked him what he wanted and to my surprise, he said that the Lord had sent him to pray with me. I gave him an appointment for the following day. The next day he asked me what was the matter with me and why I looked so sick. Whatever I could tell him in short, I told him. I also told him that I was living on borrowed time which was very short. He prayed with me and departed. It was then that I discovered that he was a pastor.

The next morning when I opened the door, I found him waiting for me outside. I invited him inside. He told me that the Lord had heard our prayers and that I would live. I laughed at him and told him it was too late. He again prayed with me and left. After a few days, I went to the super specialty hospital, collected my numerous reports, and met the specialist. He looked at the reports and then at me then he would navigate on his computer and look there hoping to find something. Finally, he summoned his staff and started firing them. They ran helter-skelter only to come back and confirm that the reports had been doubly checked. He sat for some time and then got up with disbelief written on his face and extended his hand which I shook. He told me that, unlike the earlier reports, the present reports showed that there was nothing wrong with me and I was fine. He, however, warned me that I should not drink and smoke anymore. When I asked him how such a sudden change occurred so soon. He replied that apparently the samples had gotten mixed up. This seemed logical for the man of medicine. To the man of God, it was obvious what had happened.

When I went back, I sent words to the pastor to see me. When I told him what had happened, he was overjoyed and both of us prayed together and thanked the Lord. My world and life underwent a dramatic change. This resulted in a paradigm shift in my life. The doctors at the hospital refused to believe what had happened and kept me on medication for more than a year. It has been fifteen years since this incident took place. I have not gone back to my wayward ways. Now after retirement, I try to do the Lord’s work and try and save souls for His glory. I still play the guitar but for His praise and glory.

This incident in my life is a confirmation of the fact that God is in control of everything and He can do anything, even things that the human mind cannot fathom. If you are reading this testimony and place your entire faith and trust in God, He will also do the much-needed miracle in your life. Jeremiah 32:17 states “Ah Lord GOD!   behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:” Believe and the Lord will deliver and rescue you.