Greetings,
This post will be slightly off topic from the typical sneaker analogy. Luckily I did a disclaimer in "First Pair" that let me veer slightly from the subject. This is one that I want you guys to share if it hits you because I know people need to hear this. If you don't want to share it, no worries! I promise I'm not offended. What I do want you to do is pass this message on to others. Like I said, people need to hear this.
I actually want to tell you a story to start this off. There was a man a while ago that was living in what we would call perfection, paradise. He had anything he wanted, and everyone respected and honored him. One day, he left that paradise to live with normal people like myself. But he wasn't just a normal guy. He started doing things that no one else had seen or done before. People were amazed. And not only did he do amazing things, he hung out with the people who no one dared hang out with (think gang members, drug users, alcoholics, etc.). They started following him from city to city. He had a few guys around him that stayed with him 24/7. No one special, just people who wanted to join him on this journey. Instead of staying around one place, he moved, constantly meeting new people. And his audience grew. He was calling people by their name before they met him, giving people the best life advice they could get, even healing people and raising them from the dead! This got some of the leaders in the cities he was at jealous. I mean, how dare this guy from a different place come in and steal their thunder. So they wanted to get rid of him. After 33 years living with normal people, the leaders finally had a chance to get rid of him once and for all. They had him arrested. But the trial was different than what we're used to. Instead of having a judge and jury, the people decided what they wanted to do with him. And the same people that followed him in awe were the same people that screamed out to kill this innocent man. So he was beaten, tortured, mocked, and made to carry his own instrument of death through a crowd of people spitting on him, making him feel like the lowest of the low. That day he was killed, two others were being executed with him, both guilty criminals. After hours of agonizing pain, he finally lost all energy and died. Those close to him mourned, and every one returned to daily life. He was buried and that was the end. But something weird happened. On the third day, a few women went to make sure everything was okay at the grave, but they found it empty. Immediately they thought someone came and stole the body, as this was a prominent person in society at this point. But that was not the case. He was no longer dead! How could this be? I know what you're thinking: Nathan, how can a regular man be risen from the dead? Pretty crazy, right? Well, this guy I'm telling you about is a real person. And it is based on a true story.
Jesus Christ is not just a fictional person, nor is He just merely a historical figure. That's what makes Jesus who He is. For those of you that don't know about Jesus, here is a brief rundown (I could talk about Him for years on end and not run out of things to say, but that doesn't translate to a blog very well). Jesus Christ was born of a virgin named Mary. She was set to be married to a carpenter named Joseph. From the minute he entered into this world, it was a miracle. He performed miracle after miracle - water into wine, raising Lazarus from the dead, healing the sick and the lepers, and multiplying a small amount of bread and fish to feed five thousand people to name a few. But, the religious leaders of the time didn't like Him. You see, He was going against every single thing these people taught. No longer were the things they were teaching relevant. So they plotted to get rid of Him. And they knew just the way to do it: get one of His own 12 disciples to betray Him. Jesus knew this was coming, but knew this had to be done (Luke 22:42). After He had been arrested by the Romans, He was beaten and mocked. Once Pilate let Him be seen in front of the mob to decide the next move, they immediately yelled to crucify Him. The same people who followed Him for so long now wanted Him out of their lives. Jesus was lead with His cross through the streets with a crown of thorns on His head, and crucified alongside two criminals. Jesus utters the words, "It is finished" and becomes a lifeless body. Immediately all hope was lost. This man that so many people still had faith in no longer was with them. Their life was turned upside down. He was buried, had a large stone rolled in front of the grave, and guards were assigned so that no one would steal the body of Jesus. On the third day that He was dead, Mary and Mary went to prepare the body, but the stone had been rolled away. His body was gone. This is the amazing thing about Jesus Christ. While He is fully man, He is also fully God. On the third day, He was resurrected, and shortly after appearing to many believers, He ascended back into Heaven.
Now you're probably asking what that has to do with anything. Jesus Christ did not die and come back to life simply to show His power. JESUS CHRIST DIED SO WE MAY HAVE ETERNITY IN HEAVEN. Jesus died for you. Jesus died so your sins will be forgiven. Jesus died for you because HE LOVES YOU. He wants to spend eternity with you. He wants you to feel true freedom, true joy, true love, true forgiveness. If you would like to know more about Jesus, would like to have a discussion, or would like to accept Him as your Savior, please let me know. I am available 24/7 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and through email.
I have one more thing to share if that's alright. I know that this is a longer post, but please stick with me for just a few more minutes. If you don't know by now, famous actor and comedian Robin Williams was found dead this week. It shocked many people because he made so many people cry from laughter. One of the most shocking things about the story was that he committed suicide. The same person that brought people happiness and laughter was depressed and hopeless. I want you to know a few things:
1. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.
2. A temporary problem never calls for a permanent solution. No matter what is going on, things will get better. There is no need to do something forever when the issue is temporary.
3. God is greater than anything you are going through.
I know a lot of you just read that sentence and rolled your eyes or skipped right over it. Hear me out. I've been pretty open about this: I have struggled with a low self-esteem in my past. No matter what, I never felt like I was good enough. So I do know what you're going through and I can relate. What I also know is that I would not be here if it wasn't for my God. He flipped my life around. God is always there for you. When you don't feel loved, He loves you more than you can imagine. You don't feel beautiful? You are created in the IMAGE OF GOD. You don't feel good enough? Jesus sure thought you were worth dying for. No matter what you've done, what you're doing, or what you will do, Jesus is and always will be by your side.
If you know someone who is struggling with depression, anxiety, or is suicidal please speak up. Tell them that you love them, that you're blessed by them, that they are special, do anything you can. Whatever you do, do not turn a blind eye to them. They need you in that time more than ever. If you are depressed or suicidal, please contact me, contact someone you know and trust, or call this number - 1 (800) 273-8255. Whichever option you take from the last three, know that what Jesus did for you on the cross is enough to rescue you out of this pit.
Thank you for reading this. I hope that Jesus is glorified and the Kingdom is furthered. Know that you are loved, and that a temporary problem never needs a permanent solution. Thank you, Jesus, for setting me free.
Mahal,
Nathan
Twitter: @Nathan_A_Jones
Instagram: Nathan_A_Jones
sneakersandasavior@gmail.com
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