Willie Nelson sings in one of his songs, ”If I ever get to Heaven it won’t be because I tried”.   That struck me kind of weird but partially true.  I guess he was saying that it would be a miracle if he ever got to heaven because of the hard life he lived.  But, in the turn around of that, there is only one thing you can do to get there, and that is to accept Christ and the grace of God.

I changed my life a few years ago because I came to realize that I was spending a whole lot of effort and energy trying to get by day by day.  I was not living life to the fullest because something was missing at the end of each day.  There was a hollow feeling, I was not satisfied, my family was not satisfied and something was just not right.

I knew everyday that my wife was praying for our family and me.  She was wanted the best for each one of us and knew that God wanted the same.  She often provided opportunities for me to return to the church and find my way back to God.  When I try to live out my plans for my life they are small in comparison to Gods pans for my life.

I am trying everyday to live out his plan for my life.  I fail most days to live up to all he asks of me.  I have found that if I start everyday with some type of personal devotional time of reading the Bible, a devotional, praying for family and friends, for their healing, peace and favor my day is better.  I also learned that I need support from a group of men that face the same struggles in their lives for support.  This helps me to change my focal point from ME to His will for my life.

I often pray for someone and wonder if God is listening. I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6 I know that God is listening, deep within my heart, to my prayers and He is preparing me and is telling me to wait on Him.  If I place my faith in the outcome of my prayer and not in Him I know that I will end up disappointed and frustrated while I wait.

I know that I must surrender my waiting to God and I will be strengthened. Each day that I surrender my will the waiting becomes easier for me.  I am reminded each day that God has a plan for me.   For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

We are called to tell others about the love God has for us through Jesus Christ.  St Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel but only use words when you have to”.  Strive to live out your life as a living Bible so that others might read from your actions and know Christ’s story.  These types of analogies help me to put into perspective where I am, where I need to be, and how I will end up.  I will get to heaven because I’ve tried to live in accordance to God’s plan for my life and not my plan.  I tried my way and it just left a hole.

In my daily life I try to reflect His character.  I know I don’t always succeed.   Now, I want people to be drawn to Christ because of me.  Does your daily behavior and your character bring shame or honor to the name Christian?   Sitting in the pew each Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Wednesday does not score you points unless you are living the other day of the week what you learn. Sunday is for education and inspiration the rest of the week is for application.  Does your life line up with what you say?

-Steve Rusk
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