January 26. Edward Law. Ed had had a hard life, and it kept getting worse. The day came when Ed got desperate for his life to change. He found a way out. Here’s his story.
Be brave enough to ask for help and caring enough to give it.
Ed sat with a loaded rifle pointed at himself. His finger was on the trigger. His self-described “crazy, stupid, wild” life was about to end. He was finally going to escape. This was the only way—right?
He felt out of breath, as if he had been running—not just slumped in a chair drinking. Running … running away like a scared kid.
He had been scared all his childhood. He called it “growing up hard,” but really it was growing up scared.
Now he was scared again—scared and embarrassed and ashamed. Asking anyone for help with his stupid life would expose him for the failure he was.
But he was starting to wonder if giving up on his life hurt his pride just as much as admitting he needed help. What if there was a better way than running away from the shame and the problems his wild life had caused? What if there was a better way he was missing out on?
The words “a better way” still running through his mind, Ed reached for another drink. The words seemed familiar. He tried to think of what the rest of the words were. Something about Jesus having a better way of life.
An old lady used to take Ed to church and give him Bible verses to memorize in exchange for prizes. Ed suddenly remembered that the man he was buying a house from was some sort of Bible preacher. A guy like that might be able to help him. Ed took a deep breath and put the gun aside. He stood up shakily. He was going to give this a try.
It was a little past three in the morning when Ed pounded on Joe Thomas’s front door. (Joe had met Ed a few days earlier when Ed submitted an offer to buy Joe’s house. Joe had accepted Ed’s offer.)
Now, Joe peeked out the door, and he looked a little bit scared. “Mr. Law?” Joe said.
“Yeah. You know me; I’m buying this house!” Ed knew his words were slurred. “You gotta help me. What’s the rest of the verse?” Ed leaned in. “You must know; you’re a preacher!”
Joe said, “Well, I’m not exactly—”
Ed kept talking, “It’s something like ‘ … a better way. … He is the life. … ’ I’m done with my life! I’m gonna end it, or I’m getting a new one.”
Now Joe heard the panic in the man’s voice. Despite his own nervousness, Joe opened the door and asked Ed to sit at the kitchen table. Joe opened a Bible to John 14:6. “I’m pretty sure you’re talking about this verse, ‘Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’”” (NIV).
Joe read some other verses to help explain the new life that Jesus offers.
Completely sober, Ed looked at Joe. “I want this. I’m ready for the life Jesus can give me.”
Years later, Ed told that story and shook his head. He had almost missed out on that better way. But he had found hope, forgiveness, and new life because he had made the decision to go find Joe.
Ed’s new life is not free of problems, but now he has God’s strength and the support of other believers to help him face the problems.
And Ed has helped many other strugglers just like Joe helped him. Ed’s advice is always the same: “Stop running. Get help! Talk to somebody, and get Jesus in your life! He is the better way.”
“O LORD, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me, and set me free. … My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection” (Psalm 71:1–2, 7 NLT).
What problems or habits are overwhelming your life? Talk to someone. Is someone asking you for help? How can you be available to them? Be brave enough to ask for help and caring enough to give it.
This story is based on an interview with Edward Law on June 25, 2019.