| Tom Seidler: Transformed lives |
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Tom Seidler: Transformed lives  Old Etonian Tom Seidler came from a privileged background with a caring family. Yet he turned to alcohol and drugs. Facing prison for drug dealing, he made a life-changing discovery: putting God first in his life was what mattered most. ‘I grew up in a very privileged environment, a nice family with two loving parents. They were Christians and taught me about Jesus. I didn’t realise what a blessing it was at the time. ‘I grew up believing that Jesus was the Son of God but I knew nothing of me having done wrong.’ Tom had failed to grasp the significance of why Jesus came to earth, and died on the cross to restore our relationship with God. ‘The first time I realised how big God is was in sitting by the sea in front of some rolling waves. There’s a God of awesome power, I thought.’ But the teenage Tom soon became disillusioned with Christianity when his friends opted for drink rather than Bible study. ‘I decided if my friends weren’t taking this seriously then neither would I. ‘I bought alcohol, drank heavily and started selling it to other kids. I guess I was about 16 then. I spent a lot of time vomiting,’ he recalls. Then his friends introduced him to drugs. ‘The first time I used LSD and speed I had a great time. I ended up supplying drugs in the school.’ Money was not a problem. Tom became ‘popular’. He may have thought he was in control of his life, but the drink and drugs were affecting his personality. ‘It totally freaked me out being around people. You begin to think that everyone is talking about you. It was easier for me to retreat into my room, my own company. ‘Satan brings you in with the glory and the companionship but he leaves you right out on your own. His long-term view of your life is misery.’ Then came the turning point for Tom. Eight weeks after he went to university, he was back at school supplying drugs. ‘I got arrested. I couldn’t believe they’d found all my drugs in my room. It was like a rug had been pulled out from under my life.’ Now he faced serious drug charges and a potential prison sentence. His parents were now attending a different church and Tom began to go with them to make himself look better before the court. He was also hearing Bible-based teaching about how doing wrong (sin) separates us from God. ‘I’d always lived my life against God, trying to please myself. That’s the heart of sin. That was mind-blowing to me. Then a man asked me, “If you knew all this, why haven’t you become a Christian?”’ Tom’s first reaction to this challenge was to try and make a deal with God. “Get me off the prison sentence and I’ll follow you.” ‘I realised I was asking the wrong questions. I began to plead with God to deliver me, that I might be saved. I didn’t understand that Jesus Christ died for my sins but I understood that if I gave my whole life to Jesus, there was a way out.’ ‘Now at that time my life was worth very little to me. I gave my life freely. God is faithful and good. He sent a man to help me understand the Bible.’ Tom didn’t reform completely overnight but over time, ‘God began to rebuild my life. He’s your friend and you can never be alone anymore.’ Tom received forgiveness and peace. ‘Now I can talk to the Father in heaven. I have peace with Him through Jesus Christ.’ ‘They used to call me privileged. I am privileged in Jesus Christ. He’s a great blessing. If you find yourself needy, it doesn’t have to stay that way. Right now it can change.’ www.transformed.org.uk/lives/tom-seidler/ |
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