I know today that He indeed died on the cross; that my sins might be forgiven. If it were not for that I would be dead today, suffocated in the stench of my own sins. Instead, I have found the meaning of life and the assurance of God’s love.

For this I am eternally grateful, and out of gratitude I committed my life 31 years ago to serve Him in the prisons. Though I have spent much of my time in some of the worst dungeons in the world, I consider it an incredible privilege because I have been used by God in transforming lives and bringing hope to prisoners and their families. My legacy, if you put it that way, is in the living monuments of God’s grace. Men and women who were once lost in a life of depravity and crime are today becoming leaders of the Church.

“Satisfied” is an odd way to ask a question, because it may give rise to the false teaching that being a Christian means you live your life problem-free. That's not true, of course. But I am grateful beyond words for my relationship with the Lord and to have found meaning in life. The Christian life is no bed of roses, contrary to what is taught, and I'm no different from other Christians; I’ve lived through the same problems that everyone else does.

In my case it has been kids with cancer, some life-threatening illnesses, and disappointments and difficulties. But I have discovered living Christianly has an added burden; if we really understand God’s compassion, we have an ongoing and deep concern for people in need in our society, in my case the most marginalized.

So even at the age of 75, when some people might be slowing down, I feel an increasing sense of urgency to bring God’s justice and love to bear, not only in the prisons but on society at large.

I will keep pressing on, never really “satisfied” whether I have been all God wants me to be—but nonetheless with the wonderful joy of assurance that I am doing exactly what He wants me to do and that I can know His grace and love now and forever.