Get High on Life – Harold Keller

Ever since God has allowed me to be used in His ministry of Get High on Life, I’ve made a commitment never to turn down a speaking engagement.

A few months ago, i was asked to speak in a town about 150 miles from here. The group I was to address were people all guilty of using drugs and ordered by the court to attend this certain program. When I asked how much time I was allowed to speak, I was told 10 minutes.

Jeanne accompanied me on the trip and on the way there said, “I can’t believe we’re driving 150 miles for you to speak 10 minutes!” I said, “I guarantee you that it will be good, because I won’t have time to get in God’s way.”

I spoke nine minutes to a packed courtroom. I believe God use people more when they least expect it.

When I finished speaking, I excused myself and walked out of the room A young man followed me and thanked me for coming. Jeanne and I spoke to him for about 20 minutess. i offered him a book if he promised to read it. He gratefully accepted it.

I received the following letter from him two weeks ago”

“Dear Mr. Keller,

THANK YOU for the book!!! (The Purpose of Life)

Before hearing you speak to a grop of people a few months ago, the only thing on my mind was when and where I was going to end my life. When I heard you on that day, my gun had already been waiting under my mattress with only one round in it for days. I did not know whe, but I could feel the end was near for me.

The past year had not been very kind to me, and i was feeling as though I served no purpose on this earth. I had become very depressed and was unable to talk to anyone about what I was feeling.

Early last year, I became divorced (my fault) and was only able to see my children every other weekend. Not being able to put my kids to sleep at night and wake up with them in the morning made me feel like a total failure.

Before Christmas, I lost my job, and I did not think I would make it through the following weeks. Things were not looking good for me, and I knew it.

But things changed when i heard your positive message at the courthouse. Your words were strong and uplifting. i felt tons of hope in each sentence. Your speech gave me hope and encouraged me to push through this bad time.

Something made me go into the hallway and say thanks to you and your wife for being there that day. This is when you gave me “the book” and said you wanted to hear from me in 40 days. I agreed to myself that I would leave the gun under the mattress and give the book 40 days.

The book was great! It made me question everything in life – things that I thought I knew and even more things that I had no answer for. The book made me think about my future and even more things that I had no answers for. The book made me think about my future and what God may have in store for me. The book gave me hope, just as your speech did.

I have since implemented God into my life on a daily basis, not just one hour on Sunday. I thank Him when I wake up and before I sleep for everything, good and bad. I trust that he has something special in mind for me. When something good happens, I give thanks to God and tell myself He is rewarding me for doing good things. When something not so good happens, i do not become sad and depressed. I tell myself that God is testing my reaction to see how I will handle the situation.

After reading this book, I am very optimistic about my future. Instead of looking at the cup half empty, I look at it as being half full!

I am also very aware that the choices I make in life dictate the life I live.

I want to thank you for giving me this new angle at which to look at life. You have no idea how much you have influenced me. I will never forget you.

Your friend for life,

(name withheld)”

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational organization. Call 652-8477 or write to P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084.