Living Life by Design

When I worked as a commercial truck salesman at Trans West Ford in Fontana, One of my co-workers was an avid tennis player. A couple times per week we would go to a nearby park that had tennis courts and a full locker room. We could slip away from the office at lunchtime, play for an hour, shower, change and get back to the office in 90 minutes or so. 

On one summer afternoon on our way back to the office, my coworker asked why I was so happy all the time. This gave me the opportunity to share my Christian faith with him. I also shared with him how he could have a personal relationship with Jesus and have eternal life. I asked if he’d like to pray with me. He said yes, so I pulled the car over to the side of the road, took his had and he asked Christ into his heart. 

After he prayed he began crying uncontrollably. It was like a faucet had been turned on to full. Everything he was feeling inside, all the pain that was concealed was flushed out. It was an incredibly moving experience and one I will never forget.

New spiritual birth is an exciting moment. Jesus said, ‘No one can see the kingdom of God without being born again’ (John 3:3). The Apostle Peter writes about ‘a new birth’ in 1 Peter 1:3. ‘Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for’ (v.3, MSG).

I’ve seen all 3 of my children being born. It was a beautiful site. Now my children have given me six beautiful grandchildren. My youngest grandson is Aramis. But, physical birth will one day end in physical death. Spiritual birth will lead us to eternal life – “a future in heaven – and the future starts now!” (V.3). Physical life is like grass that will one day wither. But our spiritual life was conceived by God himself and goes on and on forever (vv.23-25).

Thanksgiving has come and gone. It’s now that time of year when everyone’s thoughts turn to Christmas trees, holiday lights, classic Christmas music, and of course, presents. This is my favorite time of the year.

Is giving someone the opportunity to receive eternal life on your gift giving list this year? I hope so…