I tried to be good enough
My parents divorced when I was four. My mom lavished attention on me. I grew up to be an open and social person. I could find a common language with almost any stranger. Acquaintances quickly became friends.
There came a point where I began to notice my friends. They lied, cheated and betrayed me and each other. I protested, but they didn’t understand me. As a teenager I realized I did not have a single faithful friend. I was lonely. Around this time I met some Christians. I learned the wonderful news that God wanted to be my friend and offer me eternal life. I learned that I could not reach up to God with my own good works, so God took a step towards me by sending Jesus to die in my place.
I tried to do only good things, but I saw a lot of inconsistencies and imperfection in myself. I realized that I did plenty of things that do not meet God’s standard. I knew that if I wanted to have eternal life I had to take it as a gift from God. I read a small brochure that told me that all I had to do was talk to God in prayer and ask Him to be in my life. So that’s what I did.
It was a short prayer but I know that God has been in my life ever since. My life began to change. I haven’t been so lonely and I have found faithful and genuine friends. I have felt their support and care. And I also had the most loyal friend – the kind most people can only dream about. I see the way God takes care of me. His sensitivity and attentiveness to me amazes me.
Now when I come across imperfect people I have a different response. I know that people cannot be perfect, but God can help us to be better. Now I have a truly trustworthy friend. I know that He will never leave me and that no matter what I face in the future, God can help.
Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?
Living with hope
If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.
Is this the life for you?
If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.