I despaired of life and living,
All hopes and dreams were gone.
My own sins were all-consuming;
I was the Devil's pawn.
Driven by uncontrolled passion,
Day and night filled with shame;
Slowly my conscience did harden,
'Til I lived without aim.
Taking no thought of tomorrow—
The moment was enough.
I tried to avoid all sorrow,
Yet all my days were rough.
I wondered occasionally
As my heart filled with pain,
"Am I to exist slavishly;
Is all my life but vain?"
Then about Jesus they told me,
How He could make me clean;
That He loved the sick and lowly,
That He could change the mean.
I didn't need more information—
This Jesus I must find.
Done was I with hesitation—
Could there be One so kind?
That day I saw Jesus clearly;
At His feet I did fall.
He cast ev'ry demon from me;
He is Lord over all.
Jesus told me to tell my friends
All that He did for me—
How He forgave me all my sins,
Bestowing God's mercy.
This I did to all's amazement,
Preaching Jesus daily;
Telling of His great salvation—
Saving a wretch like me.
I shall never cease to wonder
Why Jesus came my way,
Why He changed my life completely,
Washing my sins away.
