Augustine's influence on both the church and the world is incredible. In the words of Christian History Magazine, "After Jesus and Paul, Augustine of Hippo is the most influential figure in the history of Christianity." But his path to grace didn't start with a youth of following Christ. Ultimately, like many others, he was fiercely chasing sin and desire before he met Jesus.
From a very young age, Augustine sought positions of power, influence, wealth and fame in order to find peace with his life. But nothing relieved the emptiness in his heart, and he continued to push his family further and further away.
His mother, Monica, had cried and prayed for Augustine when he was a disobedient child. Throughout his rebellious life, Monica would follow him and continually pray for his salvation.
Leaving his friends and family behind, Augustine set out in search of the truth. After years of study, education, and searching various religions, he still could not find happiness. So he headed to Rome to further build his portfolio and seek fame and fortune.
As he gained notoriety and connections in Rome, he caught the attention of the emperor's prefect, who offered him a position as the "voice of the emperor"—someone who could convince others not to abandon the pagan gods of their leaders. And so Augustine left for Milan to serve in his most esteemed position yet.
Many people were converting to Christianity because of a bishop named Ambrose, and Augustine was on a mission to destroy his good name. All the while, Augustine was secretly enamored with the substance of bishop Ambrose's teachings. Slowly, his preconceived ideas about the Christian faith began to crumble.
One day, Augustine ran into a garden, weeping, and heard a voice saying, "Take up and read, take up and read." He picked up part of the New Testament that he had been reading earlier that day. As he read Chapter 13 from the Book of Romans, he knew he had to give up living for himself and surrender to God. His search was over.
He knew the truth, and it would set him free from his distress and from his miserable life. After further study, he was baptized and became a bishop. He spent the last 40 years of his life fighting false ideas and teachings that were leading people away from the truth.
Augustine's story reminds us that if we seek the truth, God will be faithful to show us the way. Augustine became a Christian only when the spirit of God had moved in his heart and opened his eyes to the truth. And once it was revealed to him, he came face to face with the realization that his only hope was to have faith in Christ.
The great lesson in Augustine's life is the triumph of joy in God over personal pleasure. May we all experience God's grace in a way that drives us deeply into relationship with him. |
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