In Search of the Facts
In military operations, it is important to have a flexible battle plan which can be changed in response to changing perceptions of the situation. I saw that same principle at work on a personal level in the lives of my parents. What I saw in my father was a man who, while always concerned for our welfare, had been distant and selfish. My mother had always been a loving and caring mother, but she was also somewhat intimidated, depressed and lacking in confidence.
They had learned that God had a plan for their lives that held the promise of superior results. The plan involved developing a personal relationship with Jesus and following his leadership.
The skeptic
When they put this plan into action, I could see changes taking place. My father was transformed into a loving husband and father who was respected for his care and understanding. My mother became a follower of Jesus and a woman of contentment. I saw my parents, a couple with a shallow and rocky relationship, become a couple with a rock solid belief in God and each other.
I could see the difference in their lives, but I was still skeptical. I needed the logical facts in order to believe in God. I was in search of a logical faith.
The seeker
As a young student and officer, I could not accept something simply because of its impact on others, even if they were people I loved. I needed facts. I sought these facts by reading the Bible and other books, such as The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel, a graduate of Yale Law School and a journalist who set out to write about Christians and ended up becoming one. Basic Christianity by John Stott, and Loving God by Chuck Colson also shaped my understanding. I looked carefully and objectively at people who believed in God, people who disbelieved, and others, including many military personnel, who had no beliefs at all.
As improbable as it seemed at the time, no other conclusion made any sense at all but the conclusion that Jesus Christ was who he said he is—the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose to life after three days. I believed this after the concrete facts I uncovered. Nothing else made any sense.
The soul
Now that my logical mind was convinced after discovering all the facts, my soul needed to believe also. No matter how great the amount of evidence for God and the Bible is, I could not only believe with my mind, I had to believe with my soul and heart also. I acknowledged that I needed Christ in my life and began a relationship with God. Becoming a follower of Jesus is an ongoing process—but there is no doubt that the more I grow in my relationship with Jesus, the more I love, and the more meaningful my life becomes.
The satisfaction
Let me tell you how my faith has affected my career as a senior military officer. Jesus has provided me with the ultimate example of a leader—one who serves the people he is leading. By following Jesus’ example, I really care for and focus on the needs of the people on my team before my own. It sounds simple, but without knowing Jesus and without using his strength instead of my own, I could not have followed his example. He offers a life of fulfillment and satisfaction, if you would just search after it.
The facts
The evidence is clear: Jesus offers a life of satisfaction. He will guide you and fulfill you. Everyone seeks fulfillment. Many have been in search of the facts, only to conclude that Jesus Christ is the answer. God wants to have a relationship with you and sacrificed His son on the cross to die for our sins.
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.
My name is also Ron Harder and my story sounds amazingly similar to this one (retired senior Canadian military officer and too many other similarities to mention here). Can I contact the author?