seeking. found.

Seeking

Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death. Every day, hour, minute, second, I am trapped, wallowing in this mire and looking for identity, security, and love. I am constantly searching, yet never arriving. Like a vessel on a raging sea, I am tossed over and under the tumultuous waves of my own self-righteousness and pride. Even in my quest for humility, I set myself up as my own god, serving the passions and desires of my flesh. There is a war that is raging in my soul, constantly attempting to gain ground. Peace is non-existent. Everything is questioned. Motives. Purpose. Meaning. My heart grows heavy with pain and grief. As I crawl through this desolate desert on my hands and knees, looking for a glimmer of hope and light, I collapse under the weight of my own depravity. All is done. There is nothing I can do to ever please this god who requires nothing short of perfection....

Found

After attempting everything in my own strength trying to find this god and earn his favor, I finally give up. Dead. A corpse rotting in this lonesome desert. I’m not sure how long, but a voice said “Live” and my eyes were opened, my ears could hear, my mouth was made alive and began immediately to praise this God who was fully a man. He looked at me and said, “Son, today I have made you alive. You tried to seek me in your own strength, but I have found you! You are my child. I rescued you. You see, I lived the perfect life that the Father requires of you. I took all your sin and filth and the Father punished me in your place. I died the death you deserved to die! I did this for you, not because you deserve it, but because I love you. No one takes my life from me, I lay it down willingly for my sheep! When the Father looks at you, He sees Me. I give you the Comforter, my very Spirit, to guide and direct you through this life. There will be pain and suffering, but take heart, my child, you have hope! Your identity is secure. Nothing can ever separate you from my love. So go! Tell others this Good News. It’s not advice, telling them how to live a better life or how to seek me. Rather it is facts that are to be declared. For when I say “Live”, there is no power on earth or hell that can stop me from resurrecting a spiritual corpse! You have been rescued....