As many know I only came to be a person serious about Christ in February 2004. It was after starting to read the book “Heaven Is So Real” that I realized I must try to walk in the footsteps of Christ. Only then did I wake up to the fact that I could not be saved by just doing good to others. I had to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
I have always led what I believed was a good life doing harm on no one, but there were many things in my past that I had to overcome. One was the desire for more and more wealth, and the desire for possessions. I took pride in being a step ahead of our neighbors. While I still enjoy nice things, I no longer feel any need to acquire more and more. I am completely satisfied with what we have. I do not have a speck of envy of others who have a better home, a more expensive car, of those who make their wealth obvious. Things that we use though, will be upgraded as we feel is necessary.
I had to think back and try to remember past mistakes and sins, confess them and ask for forgiveness. Every one on earth is a sinner and I had to admit that I am one of them. I came to realize that what I was guilty of was not obvious to me at the time. While I have been faithful in my marriage, like many men, I have looked with lust at other women. This is a sin but only after reading the Bible did I realize this. I have other sins that only God knows about and I have confessed them. None of them impacted on another person though, except my temper that I have learned to control. Also I have looked down on people of other races and those in poor circumstances. I had to learn that everyone was created by God and is equal in His eyes. I know that I am no better than anyone else, but I have to keep remembering this lesson. Also, I am guilty of being selfish with my time. Sometimes I thought that my projects were more important than family and friends. Now as much as possible, people in my life have a higher priority.
My pride in my accomplishments also got in the way of complete faith. The only thing that I should be proud of is in knowing about the Grace of God, and this is a gift from Him, not something earned. I had to come to realize that nothing that I possess is really mine; it is only on loan from God while I am here. He created everything and therefore everything is really His. What I am, what we possess, and what was accomplished would not have been possible solely by our own efforts. They are gifts of God’s Grace. I learned that when it comes to the serious side of life, I would be helpless without God’s help.
I finally realized that God’s Grace has been with me all my life. I know that I do not deserve it, as it is a gift from Him. It is freely given and it is more than sufficient not only to save me, but also to see me through the struggles of life.
I know that Jesus Christ is with me and the Holy Spirit lives within me, and help is available 24/7. I only have to ask for this help. I know that I receive help in most everything about which I pray. This does not mean that Jesus is my servant, as I am His servant. It means that when I ask for help on something that He believes is beneficial and not just nice to have, help is given and often right away. Whenever I slow down for a minute and reflect on it, I can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit within me and this is a wonderful feeling of assuredness and peace.