On the early, freezing cold Colorado morning of January 1, 2001, I was standing in a field, severely intoxicated, high on drugs, and as close to death as I had ever been.

It was that evening I found Jesus. when a Fort Collins police officer handcuffed me and put me in the back of his police car.

What he did next was not normal.  What he did next was not the stereotypical “MO” of a police officer.  Although he had the control, power, position, conditions and authority to punish me, take me to jail, read me my rights, he didn’t.

Instead, he loved on me.  He asked about my story. He sincerely cared for me.

“Matt, why are you almost dead in a field at 2:00 in the morning in the freezing cold?  Are you okay?  Do you need help?  I am sure there are people that love you out there, right?”

He was right. There were people who loved me.  Except, I didn’t love myself.  I did not know how to love or be loved.

I was wrestling with God, running from God, angry at God, and didn’t know God loved me.  My experienced of hurt, pain, abuse, bullying and the voices that parked themselves in my mind and soul had drowned out the voiced of those who loved me.

When this police officer showed me love, he opened the door for me to see that Jesus does love me, Jesus was loving me throughout my entire journey, and Jesus will forever love me.

I committed my life to Him on January 14, 2001.

I then began to learn live my life on purpose and with purpose.  Notice I said began to learn.  At first, I failed miserably.  It took me years to be and stay clear in my purpose.  God revealed to me over the past 23 years who I am in Him and why I am here on this earth.

Over these years, I have come to this statement of why I exists.

As a follower of Jesus I was created to relentlessly, joyfully and lovingly pour into people, passionately sharing my story to inspire, ignite and encourage others, while diligently protecting, journeying alongside and celebrating with those I love, especially my family.

I recently shared the details of my faith story, my leadership journey and business journey with Michael Chestnut on his podcast, Intentional Guy.

Click here to watch the video podcast on YouTube.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

I am still on this journey. Life, leadership, business and manhood is a journey.  Do not take it alone.  Take that first step and click here. Let’s take this journey together.  I am with you every step of the way.

Remember this:

I love you.

I believe in you.

You’ve got this.

Go get it!

P.S. If you know of any men who are struggling with any of the things I was, please share this with them.