Our Only Constant – Looking for Family? Try This One

By Bradley Shotts 

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6 (NIV) 

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you probably have had several moments of astonished pause, observing all of the change within our world and country the past few years. One thing that has not changed is God. He remains the same. 

The Bible says in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” 

God is not surprised or taken aback by the things of this world. He warns us in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV), “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” This is an accurate description of our world and the people in our country today. 

As Christians, how are we to respond to the events that face us in these times of cultural change? As we see the world drifting and running further away from God, His values, and His commandments, we must be diligent to draw closer to Him. James 4:8 says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” Satan is hard at work to do everything he can to distract us, to entice us, and to lure us away, so that our focus is taken away from God. So many have fallen victim to Satan’s devices. 

It is important to understand Galatians 6:7. What is the Apostle Paul telling us? It reads, “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.” Paul explains that our way of life will have its natural consequences. If we “sow to the flesh,” led by self-seeking desires, we will reap the only thing the flesh can and will produce – corruption. But if our lives sow into the “Spirit of God,” and the ways of God, this leads to life everlasting. Sadly, Satan has blinded the eyes of so many that they are unable to see the truth. 

Perhaps right now you see your life and the choices that you have made. Are they choices that have led you down the wrong path, clearly against the teachings of God? Satan makes it so easy for this to happen. The beautiful thing about our God is that He specializes in messes and mistakes. He is not a God that looks at us from afar, seeing our sin and mistakes, gazing at us in anger. Instead, He sits close by, lovingly waiting for us to whisper His name so He can come to our rescue. He longs and desires to have close communion with you and He accepts you as you are. 

Only God can give you the peace within that you have spent your entire life trying to find. This world and all the things of this world will only disappoint and leave you with nothing. It is only when you call upon the name of Jesus that you find fulfillment, purpose, and life everlasting. Do you want to experience life as God intended for you? The Bible instructs us to call upon His name and there you will find Him. 

Pray with me. “Lord, I admit that my life is a mess. I have made mistake after mistake. Everything I have tried has left me empty inside and with nothing. I am lost, but today I am making the decision to call out Your name, Jesus! I am asking You to forgive me of all my sins and to come live inside of my heart. I want what You have for me and I choose this day to live for You. Amen.” 

If you prayed this prayer with sincerity, you are now a child of God and the Holy Spirit of God has come to live inside of you. God has completely forgiven you of all of your past sins and He only sees you now as His child, filled with His righteousness. Spend time in prayer with God and read His Word (the Bible) to gain strength and direction. Welcome to the family of God. 

Bradley Shotts began his ministry in the funeral industry in 1988 at Lloyd James Funeral Home in Tyler, Texas. He currently serves as a director at Slay Memorial Funeral Center, Aubrey, Texas. He and his wife, Amy, live in Bedford. They have two adult children, Blaine and Braylee, and one grandson, Matthew Bradley. Shotts is a member of Rotary International and enjoys serving in his community. As God directs, he enjoys singing and speaking. He is an ordained minister and loves being used of God.