It doesn’t matter what you do if you get this wrong.

You’re a good person. You’ve had some challenges, made some mistakes, suffered some setbacks, but you’re still here trying to do your best. That’s commendable. I see you. I see your desire to do good and make a difference for your family, your community, and the world. And you’re putting forth great effort, learning self-discipline, setting goals, and working to achieve them! But I need to shoot straight with you: It doesn’t matter what you do if you get this one thing wrong.

Does that concern you? What one thing could outweigh all of the good I just called out in you? Faith. Or better yet, misplaced faith. 

See, I know you have faith. Faith is “complete trust or confidence in someone or something,” according to the Oxford Dictionary. You have faith. You have plenty of faith. But who or what you place that faith in is a critical decision. 

If you’ve hit middle age (like me), you’ve lived long enough to realize you can’t put your faith in others. They will most definitely let you down. And you’ve probably realized that you aren’t that reliable either, so putting faith in yourself will only take you so far. Maybe you have faith in a higher power, but if that power is silent, if it isn’t present and personal, how can you know that you are even known?

I am a Christian. I made the decision a long time ago to put my faith in God. I had a life-altering moment where Jesus invaded my present and showed Himself to be a personal God. He knew my name, and He loved me just as I was. I wasn’t perfect. In fact, I was sinful. Sin is simply an act against divine law, some immoral or wrong action that you do. As you know, when you break a law, the lawmakers enact a judgment. Everything is pre-scripted, so the judgment is decided before the crime is committed. God’s judgment for sin is death. It was the judgment before I ever sinned. For a sinless God, there can be no blind eye to sin, not even because He loves me. Sin can’t be excused; it can only be executed to restore order. But because Jesus loved me, He came to earth to live as fully man and fully divine, fulfilling His own law on my behalf and taking the punishment of my execution Himself, dying for me by means of crucifixion.

He took my place so I could take His place of standing sinless before a holy God. He died for me, so I now live for Him.

Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ (Jesus). It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  The great exchange!

Because my faith is in Jesus, because I see every day I live as a day I am living for Him, I can live beyond my natural capacity. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). I can bear much fruit (John 15:5). I have access to every resource I need (Philippians 4:19). And I have a Champion in my corner at all times (Zephaniah 3:17).

The results of my decision are not limited to this lifetime either. Because I’ve placed my faith in Jesus, I have the assurance of an eternal life with Him. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” 

Deep down inside, do you know there’s more than this life? Do you have that feeling that this life is only part of your journey? I’m very aware that there’s more to come, and the end of this life is just the beginning of a far greater story. I’m excited about my role in that story, and I care about your role too. Have you considered putting your faith in Jesus?

Friend, I don’t want to see you do all the hard work living a life without regret only to spend eternity regretting that nothing you did mattered because you got this one thing wrong.

It’s a big deal, friend. Please take the time to truly think about your life (and afterlife). There’s only so much you can do. There’s only so much others can do for you. There’s only so much I can do for you. But there’ no limit to what Jesus can do.

If my words have caused you to consider some things and you want to learn more about Jesus, I can’t think of a better place to direct you than to the source. Get yourself a Bible. They can be found just about anywhere – bookstores, second-hand stores. Or go to BibleGateway.com and start reading in John chapter 1. This is a great book and easy to read, and it will show you who Jesus is and how He loves you.

If you know about Jesus, or if you once had faith in Jesus but walked away, and now you’re ready to put your faith in Him (again), take a deep breath and say this prayer in your own way:

God, I recognize I broke Your law. I have sinned, and that makes me a sinner. Sin demands execution, but Jesus took the punishment for me. I see that, and I’m grateful. God, please forgive me, see me as blameless like Jesus. He died for me, and I receive His gift of life. I choose now to live for Him from this day forward. Fill me with Your presence. Show me how to live a life that will truly be without any regrets. Help me make a difference in the time I have left. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

If you prayed this prayer, would you drop me a quick note at connect@kelindacrawford.com? I’d like to celebrate your faith-decision with you, and I’d like to get some materials in your hands that I believe will help you continue to develop your new relationship with my present and personal God.

__________

Why did I include this writing on my website?

In my line of work, I do a lot of internet research. One day, I was researching a topic dear to my heart, and I was disappointed to see again and again on google’s assessment of key websites the following: “Missing: jesus.” So many great people; so much political correctness. Their faith is hiding, which makes their work less than authentic. It was at that moment I made the decision that Jesus would be found on my website just as He is found in my daily interactions.