I Did Not Find Jesus
It occurred to me while talking to my cousin who recently became a firefighter (congrats cuz!) that people may misunderstand why I am writing this blog. While talking he said that he heard that I found Jesus.
First off, I do not believe that anyone finds Jesus. Doesn't that sound like it is by accident or chance? I do not believe God leaves things up to chance. He chose us long before the trees moved on the earth. However, whether or not we choose God is another matter entirely. There is always that moment when a decision has to be made when we either choose to accept God into our lives or reject Him. He sets up life circumstances that allow us to be in the right place or wrong place (depends on your perspective) that will lead to Him; however, he does not decide for us.
For He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. ~Ephesians 1:4
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in truth. 14He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
We are destined to cross paths with God. However, it is emphasized that we "might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" because we are the ones that have to make a decision. So, I did not find Jesus; he chose me and I decided to believe.
I became "officially" (that would have to be a whole other post) saved back in 1999 and was baptized in 2001. I have been saved for quite some time now. During all those years and the good and hard times that I have been through, I have never stopped believing in Him, loving Him, and thinking of Him.
With all that said, the absolute truth is that I spent most of those years ignoring him. Isn't that horrible? I have spent some of that time running from Him and what he wants out of me. I have been much like Jonah, and God handled me much like He did Jonah too. It may seem different to some only because I have chosen to stop running from God and instead listen to Him and turn my life over to Him so that I may live my life according to what he wants from me. That does not mean that I have it easy. It is a struggle and I work daily to get it right, some days are better than others. Nevertheless, I know that it will work out in the end.
First off, I do not believe that anyone finds Jesus. Doesn't that sound like it is by accident or chance? I do not believe God leaves things up to chance. He chose us long before the trees moved on the earth. However, whether or not we choose God is another matter entirely. There is always that moment when a decision has to be made when we either choose to accept God into our lives or reject Him. He sets up life circumstances that allow us to be in the right place or wrong place (depends on your perspective) that will lead to Him; however, he does not decide for us.
For He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. ~Ephesians 1:4
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in truth. 14He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
We are destined to cross paths with God. However, it is emphasized that we "might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" because we are the ones that have to make a decision. So, I did not find Jesus; he chose me and I decided to believe.
I became "officially" (that would have to be a whole other post) saved back in 1999 and was baptized in 2001. I have been saved for quite some time now. During all those years and the good and hard times that I have been through, I have never stopped believing in Him, loving Him, and thinking of Him.
With all that said, the absolute truth is that I spent most of those years ignoring him. Isn't that horrible? I have spent some of that time running from Him and what he wants out of me. I have been much like Jonah, and God handled me much like He did Jonah too. It may seem different to some only because I have chosen to stop running from God and instead listen to Him and turn my life over to Him so that I may live my life according to what he wants from me. That does not mean that I have it easy. It is a struggle and I work daily to get it right, some days are better than others. Nevertheless, I know that it will work out in the end.
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