I was brought up in an upper-middle-class family. My physical needs were always met. I was used to having the best of everything. However, one thing that was missing from my life was spiritual training. My parents provided me no spiritual training. But–hey–who needed it! Surely not me! I learned to depend on myself–not on some nebulous ‘god.’ That is what my Father had done, and I learned by his example. God was a fairy tale for weak and insecure people that couldn’t face the fact that they were going to die someday and then become food for the worms . . . I didn’t buy that fairy tale…  I was going to be just like my Dad–Smart, money ever-present in my pocket, and the laugh and the hit of the party…

That was my lifestyle for many years and I enjoyed it.  However, one miserable year in a town far away from my home changed all of this…  I was in a career that I had loved doing in the past–yet– in my new location–I didn’t like it at all.  I grew anxious and then depressed.  During that low time, I reflected back on people in my life that had talked about their having a relationship with Jesus.  These people were content and more important than that–they had a joy and peace that I didn’t…  I began to think that maybe there was something to this ‘Jesus thing’ after all…  So, soon I found myself doing the unthinkable–going to a church, reading the Bible, praying, and being in a Bible study group.  While I was in this stage in my life I came across the following passage of scripture:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  (Jer 29:11-13 NIV)

“…You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”   Hmmm…. I had to admit that I had never done that before.  With excitement, I accepted that as a personal challenge from God to me.  Within a few months of my seeking –God saved me.  It wasn’t a burning bush-type revelation–just a slow, steady realization that — Yes– there was once a man named Jesus who walk the face of the Earth.  This man was in fact — God in the flesh.  This man loved me and died for me…  Yes, He died for me…

So… How am I different now?  My life has meaning and purpose and joy.  And no longer do I think that God is a fairy-tale for weak and insecure people…  Quite the contrary — now I understand that the world view that we are nothing more than pure random chance is the biggest fairy tale of all…  That beauty, life, organization, and intellect could come from pure random chance… yeah right… tell me another one…

Now I know who my Creator is and why he created me. The Bible says, “For by him [Jesus] all things were created… all things were created by him and for him,”  (Col 1:16 NIV). And God tells us why He created us, “everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made,”  (Isa 43:7 NIV).

My hope and prayer is that if you don’t know Jesus as your Savior and Creator that you soon may…  Only He gives true peace and joy… In John’s Gospel Jesus tell us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”  (John 14:27 NIV).

After ten years of walking with Him — I have discovered that In Him is true joy, peace, meaning, and contentment. Come to Christ and experience the best that God has for you.