Grace of God

"You're a very perceptive man, Michael," He said.

"Here lately I think I'm more of a crazy man," I said.

Onesiphorus chuckled a little and reclined next to me. We sat there silently for a few minutes. I was trying to picture myself as a Christian. I really didn't know how to be any different than I am.

"How is it, Onesiphorus, that a man can live a certain way for a long period of time, and then suddenly become someone else? Is a man's character so easy to change?" I asked.

"I have learned the only way a man's character can be changed is by supernatural intervention. In other words, if he tries to do it himself, he's in for a lot of disappointment," He said.

"There have been times when I thought I needed to change something about myself, mainly to please my wife, but found it very difficult, and sometimes impossible," I said.

"Do you feel you have changed from what you were before you were a guard?" he asked.

"I guess I have to some degree," I said reflecting on my past.

"The change that God causes is much deeper than what any military can do to you," He offered as encouragement.

"Obviously. I guess that's where the struggle comes in," I said.

"The best thing to do is to not struggle," He offered.

"I'm afraid that's just about as hard," I said.

"You are faced with a dilemma then, my friend, which only you can work out," He said.