I wanted to take the time to write down some things that I may or may not have shared with you over the years. They are important to me and I pray you allow them to help shape your life.
First of all, the Lord Jesus has been the focal point and driving force in my life. He put His hand upon me at the age of eleven and has kept me in all my ways. The evidence of His presence in my life is manifold, but here are a few obvious examples: my wife, my children, my church, my home, my health, my job and my music.
There is also a very important way that He has shown His care for me: He has put a protective shield around my life. There are a considerable number of occasions of which I am aware where He has protected me and an untold number of which I am not aware. The most amazing example of His protective care is that I have NEVER been injured in any significant way in all the many activities I have pursued - this includes stints of activity in basketball, volley-ball, tennis, golf, motorcycle riding and last, but not least, racing.
How do you explain such a 'blessed life'? I think it is understood in the context of a right relationship with our Lord. Specifically, it is in the acknowledgement of a spiritual contract between us and the associated commitments. The best term for this is faithfulness. I have tried to be faithful to Him (prayer, Bible study, church attendance, tithing, offerings, witnessing, etc) and He has in ALL cases been faithful to me. The evidence of His faithfulness is cited above.
Now, this isn't to say that I have been perfect (unnecessary to confess to you!). God does not require or even expect human perfection - He imputes perfection to us as a result of our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. In the book of Hebrews we understand that God imputes righteousness (being right with God) to us as a result of our faith (demonstrated by our faithfulness).
I have always been reluctant to ritualize my faith and equally reluctant to force ritualization on others. Though there is value if good rituals (habits) there is the fear that ritualization will result in a disconnect with the personality of God (Jesus Christ). Above all, He expects us to love Him. As a matter of fact, things that are done without love are of no value to God. However, as I have grown older I have come to understand more clearly that humans are indeed 'creatures of habit'. In light of this, the question becomes, what habits will I allow to govern my life? It happens that bad habits are most easily developed - we gravitate toward them. Those habits that are most beneficial are often developed by going against the grain - enduring pain or self-denial.
You are a very strong individual, Michael. I have seen how you have disciplined yourself on many occasions to achieve your goals. I am proud of you for who you are and I am proud of your accomplishments. I know that God has something special for your life. My prayer is that you will use your strength of character to develop those 'good habits' (faithfulness to our Lord) which will ensure you reach your potential.
Know that I love you and am praying for you always!
Love, dad.
April 10, 2006