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It all happened in an instant, but I wasn't sure for several months. Dad gets the credit.
This is Jay's story. Jay's real name is ...... oh, what does that matter? What matters is that he understands that he is a child of the King, Jesus. He inherited all the rights and privileges of the Jesus. He knows that his sins are forgiven, he has entrance into Heaven, and his purpose in life has been established.
Of course his life didn't start that way. Not that he used drugs, smoked pot or even got girls pregnant. Jay was a born into a Christian family who showed him their love, respect and openness. "He was a dull kid," he relayed. Not too much here to write about. Got good grades, played, baseball and basketball, got his picture in the yearbook. Looked handsome, but nobody noticed. He went through grammar and high school like the majority of us.
One day, at about age 10, he decided that he wanted to please God. He had always pleased other people, but now he wanted to please God. He knew pleasing God would please his Dad. His Dad was his companion. Someone he could always turn to for advice and encouragement. His Dad had always encouraged Jay to accept the work of Jesus on the cross, and ask Jesus into his life. A funny thing, I learned-Dad was always right.
He remembered not following Dad in all things. His Dad would let him know that if he followed this current path, A, B, C, D, and E would happen. And E would bring trouble into Jay's life. Since he was a teenager, at the time and thinking he knew much more than Dad, he continued to follow the path he was on. He didn't see A or B. He thought, Dad must be wrong. He didn't see C or D. Dad is wrong about this. He isn't wrong about much, he thought, but Dad is definitely wrong this time.
Then came E with all the consequences Dad had predicted. Now, thoughts flooded his brain. I never saw it coming. But just like Dad said: E came, and it wasn't good. Oh boy, I wish I listened to Dad. Did A really happen? It must have happened. I should have listened. You know he has "been there, done that." I should start out with a "you know best " approach. I may not understand, but by faith, I know; Dad knows. Wasn't there a TV program called, "Farther Knows Best?" I should have listened.
Back to pleasing God. Dad always said that pleasing God came first in life. Am I pleasing Dad or God? Dad says that God doesn't work that way. It is by His grace we are saved and made right with God. Each boy, girl, man and woman must decide for themselves that they want to please God. I don't understand how grace works. I know that He loves me, and He can't wait for me to decide that I want to please Him. Dad can't make that decision for me; I must decide.
God' s Spirit continued to pull on me. My thoughts were always focused on this personal decision. God Spirit pushed me until I made a decision to follow Him. I decided! I want to follow God. That little decision took a long time., and I'm still wrestling with how that works out in my daily life.
Since I have become older, I am glad I made that decision. In the Bible, I have learned that it is by faith we establish a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus. Some verses still stumble me, I don't understand, but by faith I have learned to accept them.
I married a fantastic girl, have a boy and a girl, and a great, but struggling, life. Most of my time .......then you may know who Jay could be, and we don't want that-- do we?
So if you like Jay, are wondering if asking Jesus into you life will make a difference, remember Father Knows Best.
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