About the Editor

Earlier in my life, when I thought about God, it meant condemning, unreachable, mad, disappointed, structural, lectures, ritualistic, legalistic, and unloving.

But at some point, in my journey getting to know God, that changed to loving father, leading me, wanting the best for me, forgiving me, life changing, wise, listens to me, all mighty, and has a desire for me to have the most peaceful life imaginable. And most of all, He wants eternal life for me in heaven with Him! 

The change came from developing a personal relationship with God. Very similar to how your first impression of someone changes as you get to know them better. 

The most extraordinary thing I noticed about God is how He loves me ... He continues to support me, continues to wait on me, and even gives me additional chances when I don't make wise decisions.

God has a plan for you that will give you the peace you have been searching for! Think about it, God made you and He knows everything about you! So why wouldn’t His plan be the best for you?

I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life and I've done a lot of things that I'm not proud of. I strive not to make mistakes but continue to do so. Then I read how God loves me unconditionally, which I have trouble understanding.

But then I see how God works in my life. I see how He continues to give me chances at a better life. And when I ignore those chances, He offers more. I see that He loves me as His son just as I love my children and want to continue to give them second chances.

I don't know what your experience with God is, or how strong it is, but maybe you have been to church once (or many times) and don’t understand the love God has for you. In my experience, some teachers make God’s love difficult to understand. They may have great “bible knowledge,” but make God complicated and condemning. Some can even go in the opposite direction making God an “all loving anything goes God.” But my understanding is that He is somewhere in between … He loves you more than anything else but wants you to follow His ways to glorify him.

I’ve learned that your past does not define you. No matter what you have done, God will forgive you if you humbly confess your sins. I encourage you today to start the journey of getting to know God and building a personal relationship with Him. And in doing so, He will become your best friend!

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Don

[2] Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, [3] because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. [4] Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.