In my early years, I did not envision the quality of life I enjoy today. Physically and academically I was strong, but I was quite weak socially. Seeing relatives experience broken marriages made me insecure in my relationships with girls. I developed a belief that people could not be trusted, so this kept me from being open about my personal needs.

 

Looking back now, I see how God waited for me to recognize personal needs that only He could satisfy. My inadequacies became evident while I was in graduate school at Cornell University in the late 1960s. Within a period of a few months, my girlfriend left me, my best friends separated in their marriage, and I was given a military draft lottery number that would surely send me to Viet Nam. My insecurities grew to new heights.

 

But God, in His kindness, sent a fellow graduate student to me to tell me and be an example of how God changes lives. The graduate student and his wife had recently experienced wonderful changes in their marriage after God first changed them individually. I learned that "God loves me and has a wonderful plan for my life." [John 3:16; John 10:10]. I learned that God gives real hope to marriages, and He has plans for good things in our lives. I learned that I need to be in a right relationship with God to experience the fullness of what He has for me. I also learned that Jesus Christ, God's only Son, paid for my rebellion against God so that I can know Him personally.

 

In October 1969 I acknowledged my intentional separation from God and admitted my need for forgiveness. I accepted the gift of Jesus' death for my wrong-doing, and I became a part of God's family. In this new relationship, I discovered a new freedom to love other people without fear of rejection. I also gained a hope for the future and an excitement about what God has for me. This freedom and hope have made me bold to do new things that can benefit people.

 

Living in harmony with God has been exciting. I subsequently married and now have enjoyed a wonderful marriage for over 35 years. Our daughter and her family are a great joy to us. My work has been one opportunity after another, each one revealing God's generosity in allowing me to achieve good things.

 

Would I turn back?  No way!  Life with God is rewarding and full of hope. God provides opportunities and also provides the ability to be successful. A future working in concert with God puts me on the winning team; I am not alone!  With God, I can also know the truth and not be led down a path that ends in destruction. Why turn back?