His Way Builds; My Way is Prone to Destruct
By: Robert Mcmanus
Tags: Scripture, Christianity, Prayer, Decision Making, Christian Living

Almost fifty years have roared by since the day that I made a life-altering decision. I did it with no input from anyone. Especially God. I rebelled against a strong Southern Baptist upbringing. Instead, I went seeking the wonders and thrills of illicit drugs and lots of alcohol. In my exalted wisdom, I raised all beliefs to equal status in my view. That lead to the rejection of the mores and standards the family attempted to inculcate in me. Now, I write “attempted” and laugh because they had established deeper roots than I gave credit.

Gusto and reckless abandon

During this apostate season, I participated in criminal behaviors with gusto and reckless abandon. My enthusiasm for marijuana, LSD, and methamphetamine knew few boundaries. In this haze, I proposed and became a married man. Remember, no advice accepted from anyone, mortal or celestial. We were as different as two people could be. My dubious contribution was to remain attached to drug culture. The muddy thinking employed at the time left no room for alternatives. Needless to point out I was a crappy husband.

My attitude only changed with the birth of our first child. A boy, my devotion was instantaneous. I struggled with leaving behind my excessive drinking and getting high. An idea that the two things, parenthood and partying, were incompatible formed in my head. Not immediately, but when the idea took shape, it was a done deal.

“Why don’t we go to church like other people?”

Jump ahead seven years. We had a second son and a deteriorating marital relationship. The older of the two boys confronted me with a simple question, “Why don’t we go to church like other people?” At a loss for a reasonable explanation, I replied,” I don’t know.” What was I going to tell a seven-year-old? That my philosophy didn’t allow for the church? The inevitable whys steered me away from that.

“You think you want to go?”

“Yes!”

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this. (Proverbs 3: 5–12, MSG)

He’s a minister in a nearby small town

That tipped me into a journey I never expected to take. One that led to my conversion to Christianity, but did not prevent a divorce. A journey that led to my discovering the Reformed brand and its thinkers. The seven-year-old who started it all? He’s a minister in a nearby small town. How does this tie-in with the scripture of Proverbs 3:5–12? Whenever I make decisions without reflection and wisdom. The kind that sincere prayer delivers, I reject a foundation of success. Choosing God’s way will lead to success; it may not be the easiest path, but it is the most rewarding.

When I was single and divorced, I sought companionship again without His input. “Slow learner” is a generous designation; bullheaded and stubborn is more accurate. But prayers not from me, offered by family, started to pull me in the proper direction. Married and well-matched, my days are sunny, and my faith is more robust.

From a child seeking His presence to righteous prayers that have availed much. His way has resulted in a more successful life.