Southeast Region Campus Crusade Staff

David Hand

Husband, Dad, sometimes faithful friend, addicted to ice cream and the History Channel, highly introverted, not anti-social, too many sticks in the fire, I enjoy discovery, gadgets and technology. My story is still in process. I'm finding lasting joy on the journey of life. I love to discuss God, feel free to contact me. Contact Author

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Ice Cream, History Channel, Discussing God, Georgia Tech

David Hand's Story

Simple Formula, Simply Frustrating

Trying to get my act together showed me how much I didn’t have my act together. My life began to change when I saw that I was severly infected – even if things seemed OK on the outside.

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why believe, God, good enough

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“How could you possibly believe something so blindly?” This question challenged me. I had identified myself as a follower of Christ in front of several people and one person confronted me with this question afterwards.

It was almost as if he had thrown down a challenge: “What evidence do you really have for placing faith in God?” Surely some theological answer with Bible verses as proof would not satisfy him in this instance. My best evidence is my changed life:

For a long time I lived my life by a simple formula: Good behavior + achievements = respect from God and my peers. Yet, my simple formula was simply frustrating! I often seemed to fall short of my own personal standards, let alone God’s. Trying to get my act together showed me how much I didn’t have my act together.

How much good was good enough? Where did God draw the line? The more I realized that my best deeds didn’t meet the requirements for “good enough” for God, the more I began to see the answer.

“But hold on!” objected my friend. “Give yourself some credit. You seem like a pretty decent person. If God is a loving God, why wouldn’t He accept you?” Good questions!

In the Bible, to whom did Jesus throw his arms open wide? Sinners! Prostitutes, cheaters, liars, outcasts. People who KNEW that they were bad people. Others who thought of themselves as “pretty good,” Jesus scorned. My life began to change when I began to realize and admit that sin infected my life – even if it seemed OK on the outside.

Jesus was executed in a shameful way because I was guilty. He got what I deserved. But now, it’s simply amazing: I get the things He deserves!

I know this is a lot to explain on one short page, but this is the essence of how my life has changed: Knowing that God accepts me – not ever on my own merits – and has given me INCREDIBLE peace, joy and freedom to truly be kind to others.

I still struggle to remember all this – quite often actually. Like when I lose patience with someone – even my own wife and kids. But it just reminds me how much I need Him.