• Originally published November 12, 2009 at midnight, updated November 13, 2009 at 3:55 p.m.

There's hardly an experience in life more dramatic or moving than that of seeing a wasted life come face-to-face with reality, find redemption through faith in Christ and become a productive citizen.

A success story such as this is often the source of an inspiring book or movie. Furthermore, this death to life experience often gives the recipient of God's grace the power to accomplish great things. It seems the more dramatic the conversion, the greater the fervor to make that life count for God and country.

Reinhart Niebuhr, the German theologian, has said that life has no meaning, except in terms of responsibility. When a person realizes the incredible potential he has within himself and has the drive to produce, great things can happen.

A case in point is that of Marvin Olasky. Born into a Russian-Jewish family, Olasky became an atheist at age 14, shortly after his Bar Mitzvah.

In college he discovered Marxism and joined the Communist Party USA.

In 1976, he decided to broaden his grasp of the Russian language and began reading, of all things, a New Testament Bible in Russian. By the time he had finished Matthew he was hooked and began studying Puritan sermons, Whittaker Chambers and C.S, Lewis.

Today, he is Provost of King's College, a small Christian College in New York City. He has written 30 books including one titled, "Standing for Christ in a Modern Babylon."

Another case in point is Jack Murphy. He was an intelligent young man and an accomplished violinist, but was bored with life. He and his partner robbed the J.P. Morgan gem collection, including the largest star sapphire in the world, from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

During his 21 years in the Florida State Prison, he was ministered to by Chaplain Ray.

Today, he speaks across America to young people and to prisoners about turning tragedy into triumph. His book is titled "Jewels for the Journey." As a key player in Bill Glass' prison ministry, he is responsible for hundreds of changed lives.

In the same vein, Chuck Colson was one of President Nixon's men during the Watergate scandal. After serving time in prison, he now heads up the Prison Fellowship Ministry.

Who can forget John Newton's dramatic conversion from slave-trader to Christian; his long preaching career and the legacy he left us of "Amazing Grace."

There's no way to tell how or when people will respond to the gospel message. It may be at a crisis in their life, it may be something they saw, heard or read that touched a nerve or it may have been a word from a Christian friend. In any case, God's spirit touches their heart and they begin to see the light.

That change may come quickly or it may take months or years, but the seed planted can bear much fruit. Consider that you yourself might be the catalyst to bring this about.

Raymond F. Smith is a deacon at Fellowship Bible Church in Victoria and President of Strong Families of Victoria.

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