Jim McCarty

God's Guidance - My Confidence

I am amazed at the people I meet who do not want God instructing them or leading their lives. They want to remain 'in control' with no one telling them what to do, not even God. I find that sad.

After being 'in control' and making such messes in my life, my relationships, and my activities, I decided to ask God to 'take control' of my life, to lead me in ways that are right, to protect me from foolish decisions, to lead me to spend my time wisely, to give me the strength to resist evil, and to live honorably.

Here is my simple story. I was blessed to be raised in a Christian, Church going family. At the age of eight, I remember understanding the truth about MYSELF, JESUS, and FAITH!

MYSELF - Even at that young age, I had lived long enough to know that I was, by nature, a sinner. I wasn't 'good' and gravitated toward doing what was wrong. I had to be instructed in what was right, and encouraged to choose it. I never remember thinking I was 'good enough' to get into heaven or 'righteous enough' to be acceptable in God's sight. One honest look at my attitudes and behavior revealed the sad truth about myself.

JESUS - That sadness turned to relief when God revealed to me that He knew the truth about my sinfulness, and that is why He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus came and lived the perfect life I could not live. That qualified Him to be a perfect sacrifice, to die on the cross and pay the penalty I owed God for my sins. Then He rose from the dead and lives forevermore - I serve a risen Savior!

FAITH - The next revelation was that by faith, I could be saved, forgiven for all my sins, cleansed, and brought into a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ as I put my trust and reliance upon Him. I remember praying. Christ came into my heart and saved me. He gave me the understanding and the assurance that I was His child, destined to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. What a relief...a comfort...a blessing. I feel sad for people who view Christianity as a burden, boring, or a waste of time. For me, my relationship with God has been the sustaining strength of my life, vibrant, and the real essence of my existence.

I look back over five decades of life and can see how God has guided my life. Even the times I've chosen to be 'in control' and made a mess of things, God has used those circumstances to help me learn and become a better man. I've learned He is much wiser and better at leading my life than I am! I have known the pain of foolishness and sin, even as a Christian, but I've also learned the relief of forgiveness.

I'm still childlike enough to be amazed at His patience with me, and kindness toward me. His desire to take this simple man, fill me with His Spirit, and use me for His glory, amazes me. His commitment to never give up on me and to never leave me produces a security within my mind that helps me sleep at night. It is my desire that Jesus Christ would be glorified in my life every day, for the rest of my earthly life! - Galatians 2:20