Wonderful Counselor

So my church here in Pittsburgh had a Christmas concert and it was wonderful. There's something about worship with such a large body of people that just resonates with who I am. The solo work was great and the actors told the story of Jesus's birth from the perspectives of Kings, Mary, and Shephards. It was really interesting because it highlighted just how extraordinary the story is. I forget how awesome it is that God was living in flesh. One of the men who was impersonating the King said something along the lines that the most glorious Jesus came to lay down his glory. That's so crazy, the fact that he was here and still leads people day in and day out.

When I feel the spirit in a place like that it makes me wonder how people can deny not only God's existence, but his love for us. As my eyes feel up with tears and my body grows numb with goosbumps I can literally feel him wrapping around me. It's that feeling of hope, love, and peace. Nothing beats that. Nothing beats knowing that you're where you're supposed to be and that you're happy and you're loved and appreciated and understood. That's so crazy.

Beyond that it just pushed me to open my eyes to the world. Different people from different heritages came up and read scripture in different languages. That's what really blows my mind about this love for Jesus. There are literally all different types of people from all different religious backgrounds around the world in many different languages worshipping my God. These people have the same hope that I have and are loved by the same God. The fact that we all can meet in the same place and worship together is such a special thing. That's why people come back to him. Because once you've had a taste of his love, you realize you can't live without it. As soon as you get a taste of his living water, it's impossible to exist without feeding the thirst you have for him.

God is just so overwhelming and beyond my measure that I can't understand. I must confess I do try to put God into a box. I start to rationalize like I have an idea what such a great force could be planning or thinking. I inquire and compare my own "plans" to his grand scheme like mine make a difference, like God won't do what is according to his will anyhow. It's funny how I do that. In the Bible God set those who questioned him unjustly straight. He'd ask things like, "Who was it that formed the mountains and cut the valleys? Oh yea... that was me." He's just so beyond my expectations that I literally just have to give him the credit he is due.

I've written this post just to tell everyone that I am the way I am because of him. The blessings that I've received which are undeserved are all because of his grace. I don't understand why he loves me, but I'm happy that he cares for me more than I care for myself. I can't fathom what my life would be right now without him leading me. I'm so thankful for all he's done and I just want to remind everyone coming into the Christmas season that this holiday is about the birth of the Son of God. The boy that would grow up to do no evil. The man that would be called "wonderful counselor" and "Immanuel". This man would later die an undeserved death which would change the world forever. It's not a myth, it's not a fairy tale, it's love.

I hope everyone has an awesome holiday break and good luck to everyone on their midterms.

God is with us :).