God's Grandsons

Hi, I'm Jose Luis and I want to share a little bit of my story with you.

I was born in a Catholic home, but my family began to know more about God when I was 3 years old. I could certainly say that it changed their lives and consequently mine and my siblings'. I am the oldest son and I believe my parents did a great job with us. They never gave me a bad example that contradicted what they taught me. They taught us all they could about values and about God, but when I reached adolescence, I chose rebellion in my life. Later, during my youth, the adventurous essence told me that I should explore the world, and without fear I immersed myself in a world of unnecessary experiences.

For a long time, I was a pew-warmer at church, I really went because my parents took me, but I never had a relationship with God. I knew who God was because I heard about Him in church and I knew that He could do everything, and then when I had problems, I went to Him. Sometimes I would get out of trouble and many times I wouldn't. I would seek God for what He could give me and not for who He is, I didn't understand anything.

Without knowing, I was acting like a grandson, only going to him to avoid some correction with his mercy and only seeking him for some benefit or when I was in some trouble. This is not so difficult to assimilate, because we all have or had grandparents and they usually gave us what we wanted, or defended us against the correction from dad or mom, they intervened in most cases.

My lack of relationship with Him, told me that I could do and undo as I pleased and God would forgive me at any time because He is good. And if God was good as "they said," then He would be willing to clean up my mess! Ha ha! How naive! Absolutely no one in this life is exempt from the consequences of their actions. I wanted to win the medal without running the race, I never persisted in anything that required effort. I remember one occasion when I was in prison for a few hours for something I did not do; it was not a nice experience, but I remember that I had never valued freedom as much as that time.

Like anyone else in stressful times or difficult times, we only turn to God for quick help. On that occasion I told him that, if he freed me, I would change my lifestyle, and well, God showed his faithfulness once again, but I showed my lack of commitment and character as always.

Now, 12 years later, meditating on the deep waters of the Scriptures, I realize that in all of the history of the Bible (with emphasis on the Book of Exodus) you always had to fight for what was worth it. That which was as valuable as the Coram Deo (standing before the Presence of God at all times) to develop an intimate relationship with Him.

This was my life over and over again, I didn't have the guts to keep my word in difficult circumstances, because the easy ones are, easy, there is no extra effort. That's why, in most situations in life, we behave like victims of the circumstances we ourselves create, because it's always easier to be a victim than to be responsible for the consequences.

In the simplest words of the Apostle Paul when he spoke to the Corinthians: "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child, and I reasoned as a child. But as an adult, I stopped behaving like a child" I perceive this encouraging thought: Come on Corinthians, grow up! We will never be the center of life, God will.

In these 6 years, I have met God in ways I never imagined being in YWAM. This has brought so much freedom into my life and at the same time so much responsibility, because it involves making Him known once you know Him. When Moses asked God to "show His glory", He granted his request by showing him his goodness, so when we show goodness, people will be able to see God's glory.

Being here has given me unparalleled experiences, I have been stretched in faith and character, I have been challenged again and again through the Bible to a life that glorifies God. I now have a wonderful wife and a beautiful daughter. God has allowed me to start a family. I have witnessed many miracles, shed many tears of pain, but many more of joy. I never imagined being a missionary. After much walking through deserts suffering and suffering from my bad decisions, I was reunited with God and He with me, now I am a SON and never again a grandson.