I once believed I was doing enough to earn God’s approval.
I was a firefighter, an EMT. I’d memorized John 15:13:

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

So, I laid down my life, day after day, helping strangers, saving lives, running toward danger.
Surely, I thought, that would please God.
But beneath the uniform, I was lost.
I struggled with addiction. I sought approval from beautiful women. I lived for adrenaline and distraction.
And though I believed in God, I didn’t walk with Him.
I didn’t know the Holy Spirit.

Then everything broke.
At the bottom of detox, hallucinating alone in my bedroom, I cried out, not with strength, but with surrender.
And in His mercy, God met me there.

That’s when I finally understood:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

My good works couldn’t save me.
My sacrifices couldn’t cleanse me.
Only Jesus could.

Now, each day, I walk in relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Not because I’ve earned it.
But because Jesus made a way.

And if you’re a man who has built a life of doing good,
But still feels empty inside,
Know this:

God doesn’t need your strength.
He wants your heart.

“While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

You don’t have to earn His love.
You just have to receive it.

Brothers and sisters, surrender is not weakness. It’s worship.
And true peace doesn’t come from sacrifice.
It comes from the Savior.

Luke Frey grew up in a Lutheran church and believed in the Holy Trinity from his early years. His relationship with Christ began while recuperating from a life-changing illness later in life. After a 40-year absence, Luke has moved to his childhood community, and his mission is spreading God’s great word by living a life of Avodah and helping others come to know God’s peace during their time on earth. He is blessed with two beautiful daughters and loving family, friends, and colleagues.