Dearly loved family, friends, and strangers,
I want you to know... I need you to know.
I will not pry; I will not force. But I want you to hear the story I have to tell.
This life is short. Whether we grow to be greater than one hundred years old, or we are taken a midst our teenage years, one thing is certain in this life. One thing is promised, even if everything else falls short. Death will come. Though, it is not death that I want to talk about, it is life.
I look around me daily. Whether I happen to be in the mountains, hearing the birds sing as the powerful, yet graceful wind blows through the towering trees; or I am standing at the beach, right at the edge of the shoreline, hearing the waves crash, feeling the breeze brush my face as I look out at the great, seemingly never-ending expanse of water, one thing is for sure...
I feel small.
And you know, I've been thinking, if I feel small when looking at the greatness of nature, then I bet that is true of others who have taken a second to look at nature, to really take it in. Whether those people are my peers, my family, politicians, celebrities, great thinkers... We are all just as small, when all else is stripped away, and we are measured against the rest of the earth or even greater, the universe.
Some believe that the universe was derived from a speck. That it was thoughtless, not purposeful, that the planets- great in size, the moon- its reflection, the sun- its warmth, the stars- their beauty, the earth- its ecosystem, the trees- tall and strong, the flowers- all the colors of the rainbow, the sea- from its shore to its curious depths, the waves- crashing, advancing, and retreating, the sand- tickling our toes, the fish- breathing under water, the birds- flying through the air, the grass- swaying in the breeze, the rivers- raging, yet soothing, the sunsets- beautiful and breathtaking... all. just. happened.
Furthermore, in believing this, it is to say that we just happened. That I am not on purpose, that you are not on purpose. My blonde hair, green eyes, smile, laugh, mind... My thoughts, empathy, love, care, understanding... Its all nothing. It means nothing, its for nothing, its from nothing.
I refuse to believe that I am nothing. I refuse to believe that you are nothing.
I believe that I was created. I was created and my maker knows who I am. He knows me at the core. I believe that I was breathed into by the only being that can create breath. I believe that the trees, the ocean, the stars, the moon, the sunrise, the sunset, the clouds, the wind, the fish, the birds... were all created with a purpose. That none of the world or this universe was on accident, myself and you included.
No matter your past, your lowest points, or your highest highs. No matter the things you have thought about doing or the things you have actually done. I believe you are a beautiful creation. That you are on purpose. That you have gifts. Gifts of deep thoughts, gifts of athleticism, gifts of understanding, love, singing, speaking, compassion, selfless giving, nurturing, carpentry, math... The gifts are endless, and I believe you are gifted.
I also believe you were created for relationship. Relationship with your community, with family, with friends, husbands and wives, children. And also relationship with the one gave you breath.
This is the point where some of you will check out, where I shoot from the hip and tell you the choice I have made in my life. But that's just it, you can't argue my person experiences. You can't tell me what I have felt is wrong... because it is what I know to be true.
I am a beautiful creation. I am gifted. I am loved. But I am imperfect. I come from a perfect creator, but I am imperfect. You may ask why a perfect creator would create something to be imperfect... doesn't that mean he messed up, he made a mistake, doesn't that mean he is no longer perfect? No, it means he has a plan. A plan to love us unconditionally, which only he can. But also a plan for us to choose him. A plan for him to know who truly abides in him and trusts in his promises. My relationship with him is not like winning the lottery. By following him, my life does not become easy and without struggles, strife, or frustrations. If life were to become perfect as soon as I turned to the Lord, I wouldn't be turning to him out of love, I would be turning to him for the reward. Who wouldn't choose a God like that? It takes a heart of selflessness to choose a God out of love, respect, and trust, instead of selfish gain.
I may have lost you, but I promise to wrap this up. I have just one more thing to say, and then I have said my piece.
God loves you. He loves you so much. So much that he became man, Jesus, who had to deal with man's imperfections, man's struggles, man's frustrations, man's temptations... death, sorrow, taunting, anger, deception, confusion... in order to understand you. And to give you an out. An emergency exit from this harsh, cold world. All he asks is that we believe in him, and attempt to walk in his ways.
His ways?? What does that mean?? Don't murder people. Don't cheat on your spouse. Don't be jealous, the list continues.... but, so far, those are all good things, right?
Believe in him. Trust that God is who he says he is and will do the things he promises to do.
I do. It doesn't make my life easy, but it lets me know that there is more to life than the here and now. It gives me comfort in my struggles, and confidence in knowing that I am on purpose.
I hope you choose the same.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." John 3:16-17
With all the love in my heart,
Kori
