I’ve gotten used to the looks. When I’m out in social settings, at the golf course, for instance, or on the basketball court, or at a picnic, or at a school function, and people ask me what I do for a living; I’ve gotten used to the raised eyebrows, the pursed lips, and the facial expressions that communicate surprise, disgust, and dismay all at the same time. It comes with the territory.
A lot of non-believers are afraid of people like me because they think I might try to deliver them a sermon right there on the spot. Then there are others who aren’t really scared of me, they just think I’m a fool to believe in such nonsense. I know this because some of these people, who have been rather straightforward, have made some interesting comments. I had a lady say to me one time, “You seem like a reasonably intelligent young man (Obviously, she didn’t know me very well), how could you buy into this stuff? Why would you?” Another time I was engaged in a conversation with a guy, and he said, “You hold firmly to your convictions, and that’s fine. But what I really want to know is: What difference does it make? How has your allegiance to Christ benefitted you?”
At the time, I gave those people what I thought was a pretty good answer. But now that I’ve been around the block a couple more times, I know I can do better.
What difference does my friendship with God make in my life? Well, let me make it really simple. Because God is in my life, I receive comfort when comfort is needed. This past year has been amazing. God has used so many different things to ease the pain of dad’s passing – kind words in a card, a warm embrace, a hot meal, a knowing smile and a pat on the back – and each of these expressions of love have made me feel better. They have come at just the right time, and that’s no accident.
Because God is in my life, I find strength to face the challenges that come my way. Some of you have been very kind with your words as you have observed how I have handled the whole thing with dad, his hospital stay, and his passing. There was a comment that I was an ‘example of strength in difficult times.’ I appreciate the kind words, but the truth is the strength you saw displayed came from God. He sustained me through the whole ordeal. I found myself saying and doing things I didn’t think were possible, given the circumstances. I had divine help every step of the way. There’s no other explanation.
With God in my life, I have access to uncommon wisdom. The truth is, I’m not that smart. The Bible says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God.” So, I ask…all the time. And the Lord points me to the scriptures, or he plants ideas in my head, and I make my decisions based on what he has shared with me. Many of my choices have run counter to conventional wisdom. Some have questioned me, at times, but the results speak for themselves. I work at a job I love. My marriage is good. My finances are in order. My kids have married well, are gainfully employed, and seem to be healthy and well-adjusted. I’d like to take credit for all this, but I can’t. I know it’s all a God-thing.
And because God is in my life, I have hope. The bad news doesn’t get me down. Sure, I’d like it if there were peace in the Middle East. I’d like it if we could get a handle on consumer prices, and global warming, and the world’s hunger problem, and the threat of terrorism. But I don’t lose sleep over that stuff because I know that God is still at work here, and things will happen according to his purpose; and that someday soon I’ll be able to leave all this behind for something far better.
I could go on with this. I haven’t even mentioned the benefits I experience from being a part of God’s family, the church. The friendship, the support, the love – all of which are freely given.
My relationship with God makes a huge difference in my life. Frankly, I can’t imagine what life would be like without him, and I really don’t care to try…