Well its not pretty, but whose life is when you are in the dark without a clue? That was me before I was led to the Lord. I can safely say I was nowhere near God for quite some time, especially during my early relationship with my wife and through the early stages of my marriage. I think back about my self-absorbed, hedonistic habits and can’t quite believe that’s what I thought good living was all about, but I did.
I wasn’t an ax murderer or a drug dealer, but I did enjoy pampering myself with whatever the next big thing was at the time. This usually meant avoiding phone calls from my then college girlfriend, soon to be fiancé, and then wife, Katie. Oh, what a place in heaven she will have for leading this soul to Christ. Most of my college life was an indulgence in selfishness at others’ expense, and I had hoped that would carry on even if I was going to be tied down with a beautiful, yet “conservative” bride. Little did I know the expectations, grace, and mercy she would show over the next few years as we struggled to keep our marriage together, and she struggled to maintain her own relationship with God as I hung on like an albatross around her neck. Funny thing is she never gave up and neither did God. He was always there. Encouraging her, strengthening her, carrying her as I continued my antics.
Now, if you ask our families, they probably wouldn’t know much about the details since that wasn’t something you would usually let out of the bag. It looked normal. I would even attend church when we went home to visit her family, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I was sold on the salvation bandwagon. It seemed too easy. Too simple. You tell me a guy would give his life for me and every other person on this earth. I would say you’re crazy or just gullible. What changed my mind was my wife’s relentless pursuit of me. She never gave up and neither did God. After a couple years of hearing the message, the Good News, He reached out to me like never before. I can say with confidence that He came after me full force, but I still had to make the choice. It wasn’t easy. I liked my selfishness. I liked doing things my way, but Christ never gave up and neither did my wife. So the day came. I said yes to the gift that was before me and accepted Christ’s invitation to choose Him over myself.
The rest is history, or as some would say, His Story. Don’t get me wrong. Life isn’t all ice cream and cookies, but knowing that you are saved and have everything you need through Christ helps make each day brighter and worth living. As part of that salvation, I was able to find the young adult ministry here at TPCC as a place to share my struggles with believers at the same point in their lives. I have made several friends here at TPCC, and I would say the biggest one is my Savior.
