Bigger Than Yourself

It humbled me, brought me closer to God, and led me to pray constantly

It is less important what occurred to me in particular. I am but one small sinner in a very large universe created by One far bigger than I. Yet, my eyes were opened to a larger truth--a truth that empowers you, liberates you, opens doors, orders your life, gives you direction, and puts things in perspective. It is about believing and trusting in something bigger than yourself.

Many people go though life trusting in themselves, in success, in business and in the world. For them there is only the here and now—nothing more. There is no higher power. They trust in money, in material things and power. Their measure of success is the bottom line. I know such people. They either do not believe in a higher power, or they might in theory, but do not think much about it. They may concede the possibility of Someone out there, but it does not govern their lives or influence their conduct much. I know this because for a long time I was one of those. I may have known intuitively that there is Someone out there and that God may have sent his Son to earth, but it did not guide my life.

For much of my life I was a hedonist and believed in myself, in success, and in hard work. Yet the still, small voice that is the Holy Spirit working in the world, was constantly whispering over my shoulder and drawing me nearer. One day the way became clear.

I was the senior partner in a medium-sized firm. Life was good; we were busy and working hard. One day we encountered a crisis in the firm, which threatened our existence. If there was any good to be found in the crisis, for me it was the fact that it humbled me, brought me closer to God, and led me to pray constantly.

So, at the age of fifty, with two kids, four cars, two houses, and college ahead, no clients, and no office, I walked out

It led to years of trouble and strife, but, in time, the storm passed, we survived and things were going smoothly.  I passed around a letter to my business associates, thanking God for seeing us through. I believed in prayers of thanksgiving—and I was certainly grateful to God. 

It turned out that “thanking God” was not politically correct; my letter of thanksgiving was met with a rebuke by management. One day I was told rather pointedly that there was no “god” [sic] and the manager did not take much stock in the “bible” [sic], and the only way we succeed in life is by hard work. The only thing worse than the tone of the letter was the fact that no one else seemed to care.  The silence was deafening. Yet, in that precise moment, God had given me a clear choice, and one that I have never regretted. Was I to place my economic future in the hands of someone so disdainful of God and the Bible? Or, would I leave the firm and trust my future and that of my family to Someone bigger than myself?  I could easily have stayed, kept silent and made a lot of money. That would not require me to reinvent myself and start from scratch.  I went to mass and prayed about these things earnestly.  The still, small voice that guides me told me that this was the defining moment of my life and the choice was mine. So, at the age of fifty, with two kids, four cars, two houses, and college ahead, no clients, and no office, I walked out.

Very soon, my life came together in a way it had never done. I found that believing in something bigger than yourself puts things in perspective. You are no longer the center of the universe. You have help from Someone out there, and strength to help you through the rough spots in life. You are accountable.

Each day is a new adventure and brings a new blessing

There is a compass to guide you. You know that there are consequences to immoral choices and each day you govern yourself accordingly. After all, Someone bigger than yourself is watching. You cannot rely solely upon man. Man is imperfect, and he will often let you down. But God is constant, immutable. Praying to the One who is bigger than yourself changes lives, gives you peace, works miracles and gives you strength and courage which you did not know you had.

Decades later, this central truth guides my life: everything is easier when you believe and trust in something bigger than yourself. Believing in and trusting God with my life, my family and my future has led to great things. Doors are opened, conflicts disappear, the impossible becomes possible, and unexpected business comes to me. I have prospered spiritually, mentally, and financially. I have worked harder than I ever have in my life. Yet it is not the hard work that got me here. It was Someone bigger than myself. 

Each day is a new adventure and brings a new blessing. He has used my writing to help support missions and the work of the church, and I have been blessed in every way imaginable. I am humbled, confounded, and mystified by this, and so very thankful. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and thank God every day in every way for the things He has done in my life—things I do not deserve, but which came to me simply because of the choice.

Believing in yourself, your fellow man, or in fame, fortune, or success, is empty and hollow. It limits you, deprives you of a wonderful and rewarding relationship with Him who created the universe and in whom nothing is impossible. If you choose Him, you will never make the wrong choice. True fulfillment lies in believing in something bigger than yourself.

Copyright © 2025 William Kevin Stoos