OPINION:
This month, 45 years ago, I publicly proclaimed that Jesus Christ was my lord and savior. I was then baptized in front of my family, the members of my church, and many special friends and neighbors.
Growing up the son of a pastor, my father would often ask me to read a Bible verse or a responsive reading. As I got older, he even asked me to pray in front of the congregation.
Eventually, it all changed for me. On that amazing April day, I went from hearing about Jesus to knowing Jesus. It changed my life.
Since then, I have been trying to follow his will daily. It isn’t always easy. My biggest challenge is discernment as to what his ways are and what mine are. It would be much easier if he emailed me a list of daily things to do.
I got involved in student government during college and eventually ran for president. I lost. God taught me that holding office was about service, not a title. Going forward, I will try never to forget that lesson.
In 1992, I met Tonette. On our first date, I wanted to learn everything I could about her. She was a widow who lost her only sibling at about the same time. By the end of our time together that evening, I knew God was calling me to marry her. It has been one of my greatest joys.
The other two were the birth of our sons Matt and Alex. Tonette did not know whether she would marry again, let alone have children. With that in mind, we named our firstborn Matthew as his name means a gift from God in Hebrew. We were blessed again the following year with another son.
During challenging times in office, looking out for the best interests of my children kept me focused on doing what was necessary to ensure that their futures and those of others in their generation would be brighter. It helped me stay on task when normal circumstances led me to back down.
In these moments, I glimpse God’s amazing love for his children. He cares for us so much and wants to protect us. Yet he also yearns to give us free will. I am grateful for his amazing grace.
After an unlikely win in a special election for Milwaukee County Executive, I thought God was calling me to run for governor two decades ago. After what seemed like an endless campaign, it was clear that this was not my time. I exited the campaign before my name even appeared on the ballot. I was crushed, but I trusted this was God’s will.
Later, I saw that 2006 was a horrible year for my party. The next four years gave me more time to hone my skills as an administrator. Before running in 2010, I traveled to Indiana to shadow Gov. Mitch Daniels. He was doing an amazing job in the Hoosier state, and I was wise enough to see whether I could do what he was doing before I got into the race for governor of Wisconsin.
Once back, it was clear that God had prepared me for a moment like this one. I joined the race and focused on clear plans to solve our economic and fiscal crises. We won and got to work.
One of our larger reforms eventually attracted about 100,000 protesters to our state Capitol. There were threats against me and my family. Throughout it all, however, I felt a special sense of protection.
At one stop, a man came up and gave me a piece of paper with nothing more written on it than, “Isaiah 54:17.” The verse is, “no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. I felt a sense of calm in the storm.
Throughout the coming days, plenty of other signs were given to me and my family. Many of them involved people telling us they were praying for us. Others were lessons in humility.
When we won the recall election the following year, I began by saying this simple phrase, “Win or lose, God’s grace is more than enough.” In the years since, I have also experienced many wins and some losses. Thankfully, God’s grace is always more than enough.
Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that he sent his one and only son to die on the cross to wash away the sins of the world: yours and mine. As he promised his followers, he rose from the grave and conquered death. Now, we can live with him for eternity. All we need to do is ask. I first felt that sense of grace 45 years ago. I invite you to follow Jesus, too.
• Scott Walker is president of Young America’s Foundation. He served as the 45th governor of Wisconsin.