(A News and Sentinel Op-Ed - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Late last night while scrolling on “X,” I came upon a tweet by future WWE Hall of Famer Charlotte Flair (daughter of Ric Flair) in which she asks readers to fill in the following statement: “I am….” She started by stating, “I am ‘worthy.'” The post had been retweeted more than 300 times by the time I got to it, and, after briefly thinking about it, I joined the conversation by saying “I am … saved by grace.”

I don’t write often about my faith. I usually use my platforms to talk about other things, mostly boxing, but sometimes about other sports (often my thoughts on the various Pittsburgh sports teams) or about reaching another milestone in “The Treadmill Diaries.” That’s because these are fun subjects to write about and they don’t produce much controversy. In other words, they are safe.

For whatever reason, however, expressing one’s faith is not a safe thing to do in this world, and that’s because it forces people to think about serious, existential subjects that address (and potentially threaten) one’s worldview. It’s not easy, especially if one has doubts about their place in the potential afterlife, and, because of that, most prefer to move on to other, more pleasant subjects. It’s completely understandable.

The reason why I answered Ms. Flair’s question the way I did is because my faith shapes how I see the world and how I interact with it. That has been the case for many decades. I attended Zion Methodist Church in my youth, and I was baptized on May 18, 1975, at age 10. Since then, I have experienced many things that can’t be explained other than by divine influence, and those episodes have served to strengthen my Christian faith.

Like everyone else, I stumble and fall in a spiritual sense. I’m not one of those Christians who portray themselves as perfect, ultra-sanctified or superior to everyone else. Those that do and then subsequently fall not only hurt their own witness but also harm the reputation of Christianity in general, and understandably so. “Who would want to join a bunch of stuffy, self- righteous, sanctimonious hypocrites?” some would rightly ask. “I’m doing just fine, thank you.”

But while I fall, I’m very thankful that I have Someone to help pick me up and to help me begin again. I thank Him for helping me through another day. I thank Him for all the many blessings in my life and pray for the people who are on my long-term prayer list. I pray for wisdom, guidance and strength as well as the ability to achieve the goals I set for myself each day. I acknowledge my mistakes, but thank Him that His Son has already paid the price for my sins. That applies to past, present and future, but I also hope that my violations are as few as possible.

Mistakes are inevitable – we are only human after all – but all we can do is the best that we can each day and hope that the deeds meet the standards that are demanded. Colossians 3:23-24 states that “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Although I knew about that verse in my heart, I admit that I had to use a search engine to pinpoint the exact verse.

That is what I’m trying to do with this article: My small part in serving the Lord. I have come to know many people in my 61 years on this earth, and one of my fondest wishes is that every one of them can be in Heaven with me in the next life. One sincere prayer can make that happen, and that prayer can be done at any time while one is alive.

I am no theologian, and I don’t have the answers to all of the deepest questions we all ask. All I know is that becoming a Christian was the very best decision I have ever made. It was true when I was a child, and it is true now!

Yes, there are challenges. Yes, there are losses and tragedies. Yes, there are setbacks. But it is a source of great comfort to me that He is there with me to help me through all of the bumps and bruises life provides. I wouldn’t know how to handle them without Him, and I’m so happy that I don’t have to know.

We all have the power to determine our ultimate destiny because we all have been granted the gift of free will. I’m trying my best to do my part by expressing the message, but it is up to each of us to make the ultimate decision one way or the other.

I am a firm believer that there is a season and a time for everything, and only in retrospect can one confirm that timing, as well as the wisdom of it. I hope that this has at least provided food for thought, and hopefully a reason to act.

To those who have made it to the end, I thank you for your time and indulgence. To those who haven’t, I understand. Until next time, all the best!

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Lee Groves is a former copy editor at The Parkersburg News and Sentinel and a Friendly resident.