How long can you run from God?

You didn’t choose me, I chose you
I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last,
So that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name
John 15:16


After nine years of running from GOD I now understand what John 15:16 means. God’s purpose for my life, however, wasn’t always clear to me. You see God had spoken to me at a time in my life when I thought I was the stuff. You know, I thought I had it going on. No one or nothing mattered to me but me and it was my way or no way at all. Over the years I continued to ignore the voice in my head and the desires in my heart but they just wouldn’t go away. Because of the life style I was living, however, I said to myself that there is no way I’m going to become a preacher. I could give a multitude of reasons why I felt I wasn’t good enough for God. I remember saying to myself that with all of the hell I’ve raised and all of the trouble I’ve caused, God didn’t want me, but he did. So, I tried going to church, being baptized and all the necessary things that I thought was necessary to become a Christian but the main ingredient was missing…“Commitment”. You know that word that most men fear and even some women run from? I didn’t want to give up those things that I thought was good for me. I didn’t want to give up those things that I thought made me happy. Boy was I wrong. As I continued to do my thing, I began to travel down some roads that were not good for me and I got in situations that I could not get out of on my own. No amount of money could do it either. So, I had enough sense to call on the name of Jesus to get me out. And Jesus was forever faithful but I still didn’t want to “Commit” to the Lord.

As time went on a series of things happened to let me know that it was God who brought me through. The glass shattered all around me and a bullet dropped down beside me, leaving me and my family untouched. I thought this incident happened because I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I now Know that I was at the appointed place at the appointed time because God had to show me that it was not who I was in the community, what lodge I belong to, nor how many cars I had, nor was it how much money I had in the bank, but it was he, God almighty, that protected me. It was at that time I realized that God has a purpose for me. The trials and temptations all came upon me to transform me and make me stronger. Now that I’m here on the other side, in the army of the Lord, I’m happy to say, “Lord I yield, I accept my assignment”. I now ask the question, “how do I bring glory to God”? As Jesus told the Father, “ I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do”. Jesus honored God by fulfilling his purpose on earth. We honor God the same way. When anything in creation fulfills its purpose, it brings glory to God. I will glorify God by worshiping him because worship is our first responsibility to God. I worship God by enjoying him. God wants our worship to be motivated by love, thanksgiving, and delight, not duty. God’s inherent glory is what he possesses because he is God. It is his nature. We cannot add anything to this glory, just as it would be impossible for us to make the sun brighter. But we are commanded to recognize his glory, honor his glory, declare his glory, praise his glory, reflect his glory and live for his glory. Why? Because he deserves it and we owe him every honor we can possibly give. Since he made all things, he deserves all the glory. The bible says, “You are worthy, O lord our God to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything”. In the entire universe, only two of God’s creations fail to bring glory to him: fallen angels (demons) and us (people).

Living the rest of my life for the glory of God will require a change in my priorities, my schedule, my relationships, and everything else. It will sometimes mean choosing a difficult path instead of an easy one. Even Jesus struggled with this. Knowing that he was about to be crucified he cried out, “My soul has become troubled, and what shall I say Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Thy name”.

Jesus stood at a fork in the road. Would he fulfill his purpose and bring glory to God, or would he set back and live a comfortable, self-centered life? I face the same choice. Will I live for my own goals, comfort and pleasures, or will I live the rest of my life for God’s glory, knowing that he has promised eternal rewards. I chose to live for God. He’s called me to teach and help others to recognize the power that’s within all of us. Doing the impossible, using his word.


Sincerely,

Terrance Ezekiel Paulin Sr.