Education - the way to a better life? - Arthur

I was born the second of five children and was brought up on a Council housing estate on the outskirts of Liverpool.

My father’s education was interrupted when he was evacuated during the war. He left school at the age of fourteen and got a job in a factory manufacturing electrical components. He always encouraged his children to seek a better life than he had had. This, in the main, was through the pursuit of education. Like my three brothers, I obtained a degree level qualification and, like my father, I encouraged each of my children to achieve their potential.

My parents had a belief that there was a God, but one that was remote. He could be prayed to, but there was little expectation of answer to prayer. This was also what I believed; although mixed in with it was the belief that the universe came into being through the ‘big bang’. I also picked up some eastern philosophy through martial arts.

Apart from weddings and funerals, I probably did not attend church more than a dozen times in the first 18 years of my life.

Like my parents, I also believed that God was remote and I did not expect Him to answer prayer. That is until I met Pete.

I could see that there was something different about Pete, but could not really understand what it was. Pete said that he had had an experience of God that had changed him. God was no longer distant, but lived within him. Prayer was no longer a request for things but a conversation.

I wanted what he had but, at first, was not prepared to pay the price. Pete said that although what he had was free, it had a high price. It would require a change in the way that I thought. It was like being born all over again.

I eventually asked God to forgive me and me the power to live my life in the way that he wanted. During the twenty-nine years since I asked God to change me, my life has not been easy, for example my young daughter died. I have, however, known God’s presence and peace which has helped me face all situations.

Although I still believe that education is important, I now see that knowing God is more important.

Arthur – 2008.