The Greatest Gift

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned" (Isaiah 9:2).

It wasn’t until I was in my darkest, coldest hour of life that I was able to access my greatest reward. It wasn’t until I felt the hunger of my lonely soul, and the pain of the hopeless days scraping over my heart that I knew how to reach and grab the Greatest Gift. It’s in the poverty of spirit, the hunger of the soul, and the weariness of life that we are able to take what cannot be purchased with the riches of this world. Sometimes it’s the ache, and the thirst, and the hunger, and the loneliness that prepares us to receive the Greatest Gift one can ever know-- the Gift of Jesus Christ.

He is the Light that came into the darkness to offer eternal life to humanity. He is the Living Water that quenches the thirsty soul. He is the Bread of Life that satisfies the hungry soul that wanders the world tasting everything but finding contentment in nothing. He is the Truth that dissolves the lies that warp our minds and leave us whirling in anxiety and depression. He is the LOVE that never stops reaching and never stops pursuing despite our fearful avoidance and pinned-up fig leaves of false personas. He is GOD. He is our CREATOR. He is the Only One who truly knows ME… YOU… US. He is the only One who knows how to repair the fractured soul that is a product of the world we live in.

Just don’t forget, it was the THIRST that led me to the Living Water. It was the HUNGER and the LONELY ache that alerted my soul to lift my eyes toward heaven in hope that the stories about Him were true. It was the POVERTY of spirit, and the WEARINESS of trying and never getting it right that led me to the ONE who heals. He redeems, and saves, and restores, and rescues, and strengthens, but it takes HUMILITY to know we need Him.

So take note. Are you thirsty? Are you hungry? Are you lonely? Are you at the end of yourself? Are you aware of your need for something greater? Are you lacking rest? Do you need peace? If so, reach for Him. He is the Greatest Gift you will ever receive. In our LACK, we reach for the One who lacks nothing. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He is the One who SAVES.

He says, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message).

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17, New Living Translation).

Simply ask. Jesus, please take my life and make it your own. I am sorry for ignoring you. I need you. Please wash away the sin in my life and give me the life you designed for me to live from before the earth was even created. Let me live the destiny I have in You. Amen.