“I’m tired of doing things my way.”

Yesterday I had a Bible study with a man named Mike.  As we began he shared with me some personal things about his life.  Then he looked me in the eye and said, “I’m tired of doing things my way.” 

After about an hour of Bible study, Mike made a commitment to the Lord.  Died with Christ in baptism.  And was born again into the Family of God. What an exciting afternoon!

But I can’t get this statement out of mind–“I’m tired of doing things my way.”

I am reminded of the warning of the wise man in Proverbs 14:12. “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”  Often we find it too easy to follow our feelings.  Rationalize our thinking.  Act in our own self-interest.  And listen to the world’s wisdom as we pursue a path that leads to heartbreak, grief, and spiritual brokenness.

Through the years I have seen and talked to people who made a mess of their lives–emotionally, physically, spiritually and morally, because they listened to the Devil’s lie “Do your own thing.”  When folks selfishly do things their own way, it often leads to ruined marriages, severed friendships, and fractured fellowships.  And moral bankruptcy.

The Bible says said the world’s wisdom leads to carnality, confusion and division.  It breeds selfishness and produces envy and jealousy and leaves bitterness in its wake (1Cor. 3:1-3; Jas. 3:15).  The moral climate in this country is a sad testimony to that fact.

On the other hand, divine wisdom, God’s wisdom, is “pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (Jas 3:17-18).

I have a preacher friend, Edwin Crozier, who likes to say “God’s Way Works!” Edwin is right.

So, if you’re  tired, like Mike, of doing things your way, try God’s way.  Jesus proclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life….”  Peter penned that “we’ve been given all things that pertain to life and godliness.” And affirmed that when you “die with Christ” and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col 3:3-4)

God’s way will make your home happier.  Repair relationships.  Calm emotions.  Dispel fear.  Overcome worry. Defeat discouragement.  Soothe hurts. Heal hearts. Provide peace. Furnish hope.

But most importantly God’s way will provide pardon.  From sin and it’s nagging guilt.  From spiritual separation to fellowship with the Sacred Three.  From a path to destruction, to the way of eternal life.

When you get tired enough of doing things your own way, then you will be able to say with Paul (and with Mike) “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman