Living Life by Design

I grew up in Riverside, California. My family lived in a historic home near Fairmount Park. We didn’t have air conditioning so during hot, smoggy summers I spent as much time at the Karate Studio as my instructor would allow. That was three times during the week and several hours on Saturday. 

While at the studio one afternoon my instructor received a call from my mom. Master Chun called me to the phone and my mother told me my grandmother (Mammaw) had an accident in her back yard and broke her let. I immediately got dressed and walked home. All during my trek home I asked God to help my grandmother. I promised that if he did, I would be a “good person.” Well, my grandmother was ok and over time the leg healed…somewhat. 

I tried to keep my end of the bargain & make myself acceptable to God by not arguing, doing my homework, helping around the house, etc. I got up early, talked to God, denied myself and did the best I could. I tried to earn Gods favor (forgiveness and peace) by increased effort. But after a only a week, I ‘groaned under a heavy yoke’, and fell away. At the time I felt more like a servant than a son.

It wasn’t until a few years later, when I accepted Christ into my heart that I understood. I had, ‘exchanged the faith of a servant for the faith of a son.’ I believed that I had to earn Gods favor by my efforts, and that would be enough. I know now that human effort could never be enough. I needed the freedom that only an adoption (as a son) could bring. ‘Freedom’ is the word that best describes my life now. I am Gods son.

If you are facing some difficult challenge in your life, pray like David did in Psalm 108:

Give us help for the hard task;

human help is worthless.

In God we’ll do our very best’

(vv.12–13)