My Journey to following Jesus

Years ago, I learned to follow Jesus after following myself to nowhere (see more below).

Some people choose God at a young age. Others choose Him after coming to “to the end of ourselves” in some way.

“There is a way that appears to be right to a person, but it leads to death”. — Proverbs 14:12

I did both.

When I was five years old, my father left, leaving my mother impoverished and alone in a trailer park.

While my mother over-extended herself to keep food on our table, I spent much time alone, looking for meaning and love in a harsh and seemingly senseless world.

God stepped in and put people in my life who showed me who He was. I gave my life to Him at age 11.

But, during my teenage years, I lost focus and didn’t really follow Him strongly. During those years, my home life was still hard, mainly stemming from a stepfather who had a bad temper and did not otherwise engage in my life.

I found some counterfeit forms of love and fitting in that seemed to work for a while. However, I was actually building up burdens without realizing it. At age 22, I experienced a crash of conscience.

Despite having worked hard, overcome childhood poverty, and attained many signs of what my stepfather called “the world in your hand”, I felt empty and despondent. Nothing was fulfilling, and I felt terrible about some ways I had ignorantly hurt people I cared about along the way.

This realization drew me (back) to the Bible and prayer, where I found God’s answers to my dilemma.

“I did not know that the things I did were hurting other people or offending my creator until the laws that God wrote down showed me. Now, I know…it condemns me because I can see how terrible sin really is…but even though I see it, I cannot stop myself. Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong. I am miserable. Who can save me?” Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord! — Romans 7:9-34

When we choose Jesus, God rescues us, restores us, and redeems us toward meaningful things. That’s exactly what happened to me.

“You have been set free (to a new purpose). Now, where you go healthy trees will grow in places once overrun by thorns. They will stand as a lasting witness to God’s glory.” — Isaiah 55:12-13

I fell on my knees and asked God to forgive me, take away anything from me that was hindering his will in my life, and lead me on his better path. He did all that.

On that very day, God started changing me and my priorities.

After a few years of shaping me, God led me to a wife I had not earned, grew me into the kind of husband I did not yet know how to be, gave me two amazing kids, and helped me be the kind of father that mine wasn’t.

Then, he created opportunities for me to grow as a servant leader, for the benefit of my workplace, community, and churches I have served in many volunteer and pastoral roles.

Since then, many people have been saved and enriched because of a perfect Christ working through an imperfect but willing me.

I know from my own experience that Christ has meaningful plans anyone who follow Him.

“You are God’s poem, created in Christ on purpose for good purposes…You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus.

Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ (you didn’t do it).” — Ephesians 2:10; 12-13

Let’s team up to grow in Christ together and help others find Him too!

“You are (now) the light of the world…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. — Matthew 5:14-16