The Gospel Changes Everything

You made a way
So I could come
Just as I am
To you my God

We spend a large portion of our lives searching.  Often, we're all searching for something different at different times: happiness, security, belonging.  Love.  Our searches play out in a crazy and chaotic web of pursuits that leave us with nothing, or worse, feeling unexpectedly empty once we have achieved all we were dreaming of.

At least that's my story.  

I've discovered the disappointment of believing the good life was only one raise away, only to receive it and within days find myself anxiously boarding the first flight bound for the next raise. 

I've faced the reality that being someone else to fit into a world overflowing with pretend friends is the quickest way to make overflowing feel very empty.  

I've discovered that keeping up with the Joneses leaves me disconnected from the Smiths and Whites and Millers and a thousand other families who would love to spend time with me no matter how big my house or car is.  

I've discovered that when all the searches become exhausting and depressing, alcohol and the many other ways we choose to hide from the pressure to seek, are useless.    

My story is why I'm grateful for the day I discovered Christmas.  To hear a story of a God who loves me, just as I am, and all that He was willing to do to make a way for me to be with Him, well, it puts an end to all searches.

Don't get me wrong.  This world can still find it's spots to tempt me to leapfrog a roadblock or two and head down roads I closed long ago.  But I don't get far before I'm reminded of what a dark and unfulfilling roads those once were, and I turn around, where I'm often greeted with the light of a distant star and a quiet voice that says - every time - "welcome back".

With Christmas comes the gospel, and for me, the gospel changes everything.