The Search for Answers

When was the last time you asked someone a question? Or when was the last time you typed in an address on your GPS system? What if life was that simple? What would the world be like if we could ask a question and immediately receive the perfect answer? While the Internet has the answer to many questions, it cannot tell me where I will be twenty years from now. It cannot tell us if we will be united in marriage or if we will have children and raise a family. Amid a myriad of challenging questions, it seems we are all on the constant search for answers. The World Wide Web cannot answer them. Even someone as intelligent as Einstein would be utterly perplexed. Yet the answer is so simple a child could understand.

A little over two thousand years ago, God, the Creator of the universe, spoke this entire world into existence. He created every single aspect of this earth, from the smallest grain of sand to the tallest towering tree and the most miniature hummingbird in the air to the colossal whales in the sea. But his greatest creation was extra special. He created you and me, human beings whom he loves unconditionally. In fact, he loved us so much that he gave his only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross, so we could receive forgiveness and salvation through him. But he didn’t stop there. God also loved us enough that he gave us the freedom to choose whether or not we would love him in return.

God does not desire to have an army of robots who worship him simply because they are programmed to do so. He allows us to choose whether or not we will serve him. He gives us the ability to determine our own destiny. The choice is simple. You and I can choose to dedicate our lives to the cause of Christ, or we can reject the very one who died to save us from our sins. If you choose Christ, you gain everlasting love and eternal life in Heaven. If you reject him, you subject yourself to a life of despair, culminating with eternity in Hell.

This summer, my Dad and I spoke to many individuals about the Good News of the Gospel. Some of the people we talked to were very open to hearing the message of Jesus Christ. Others were adamantly against hearing the truth. Sadly, many people go on searching for answers their entire lives, never finding the answer to the over-arching question: Why am I here? For some people, they believe the world came into existence via a Big Bang. But if you think about the aftermath of an explosion, it results in things being torn apart, not coming together. Others think the world evolved into what it is today. When I look at medieval castles, ancient city ruins, and other historic sites I have explored, I can tell you firsthand that things on this earth do not evolve. Instead, they decay and fall apart.

Look at the intricacy of the living things upon this earth. Cats have 32 muscles in each ear, which is why they can have one move completely independent from the other. Elephants have four legs that all bend forward, the only quadruped designed this way, so it is able to carry its enormous body weight. The human body is the most complex of all, having more than 30 trillion cells, each one performing 10,000 chemical functions. This earth was no accident. Just as a skyscraper has an architect to formulate its complex design, this earth also has a Master Designer. God created this earth and every single thing in the entire universe. He created us in his very own image (Genesis 1:27), so we could live for him.

Amid so much uncertainty in this world, I am grateful to know that God is in control. God loves us

unconditionally. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so whosoever believes in him shall not die, but have eternal life.” Every one of us has made mistakes. We have all sinned. But the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on our behalf will wash away all sin. Jesus died so we could have our sins forgiven. No matter what you have done or where you come from, Jesus died for you. I John 3:16 says, “This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us.” Jesus rose again on the third day and is sitting at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf. That’s how much he loves us. He even intercedes for people who have rejected him.

There are many questions in life. But the most important question is, “Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?” If the answer is yes, then I look forward to seeing you in Heaven one day! If the answer is no, I urge you to stop searching for answers in all of the wrong places. Jesus Christ is the Answer you seek. Jesus Christ loves you more than you could ever fully comprehend. Make a decision to break free from the sin that has been ruling your life. Take hold of the nail-pierced hand of the One who gave his life for you. Choose to love the One who created you. Above all, remember Jesus Christ is the Answer to all of life’s problems.

You Are Worth More

Did you know that a domestic cat has between 60,000 to 120,000 hairs per square inch?  Have you ever seen an elephant up close?  The hairs on these giants are thought to keep them cool, unlike nearly every other hairy mammal whose hairs keep them warm.  A camel can survive six months without water and bald eagles can fly up to 200 miles per hour.  If that isn’t amazing enough, starfish can regenerate new limbs to replace those that are lost.  By examining the many wonders found in God’s unique creation, we can be certain that one thing is true.  He cares about every aspect of this world, including you and me.  To Him, we are worth more than all of the gold found within the four corners of the earth.

Luke 12:7 (NIV) says, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”  You may be thinking, great, I’m worth more than a bird.  Before you draw this conclusion, it’s interesting to note that sparrows are quite an intricate creation.  Sparrows have 400,000 photoreceptors per square millimeter on each retina, yet they are only 4 to 8 inches in length and typically weigh less than two ounces.  Just like these tiny little birds, God took great care in creating each and every living thing on earth.  But His most remarkable creation is you and me.

God didn’t just make us like He made the animals who roam the earth.  Instead, He made us in own His image.  God’s Word says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God; he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27 NIV).  We are set apart from our four-legged, sea-faring, and winged friends.  We are special in God’s sight.  Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  We were created to serve the Lord and share the Good News with a lost and dying world.  Men and women were created to be a reflection of God’s love.  That is our greatest purpose here on earth.

Man was not created to fight, to hate, or to destroy others.  Man was created to love his neighbor as himself.  Humans were also created to love God because He first loved us.  Ephesians 1:4 (NLT) states, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”  You and I are on this planet for one reason and one reason alone: to share the love of Jesus Christ to everyone we meet.  We are here to make a difference, to tell those who are broken in the depths of despair that there is hope through Jesus Christ.

You may be sitting there, thinking, how can I share about a love that I’ve never even known?  You may be the person who is drowning in the depths of despair.  If this is you, I want to encourage you today.  You are treasured in God’s eyes.  Jesus Christ loves you more than you could imagine.  He has always loved you and He will never stop loving you.  He knows how many hairs are on your head.  He knows everything about you.  And you know what?  He loves you anyway.  He thinks you are priceless.  That’s why He paid the ultimate sacrifice in giving His life for your sins.  To Him, you are more valuable than sparrows, or even the most precious metals on earth.  You were worth dying for.  Reach out to Jesus Christ today.  You will find hope in Christ!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer