Why

Part 1

This week as I have reflected on the story behind the
Easter holiday I have been drawn back to the whole reason behind doing
what I do, and even beyond that, living how I live. People in our
society I think have varying degrees of understanding of the story
behind Easter.

Put very simply, it is the account of our Father in Heaven, the God
who made everything sending His only Son to to die in our place and take
on our sins so that we would not have to pay the price our selves but
even more importantly so that we could have a direct relationship again
with our Heavenly Father who loves us.

I have been familiar with this story for much of my life and it is
amazing to me how its importance and truth grows in my own experience
day after day, year after year. It is the good news, the reason that I
have hope for the future even beyond this life, and the reason I do the
work that I do to try to see as many people hear this story as possible.

But how can this ancient story still be so relevant to everyone
alive personally? As I have reflected, I have realized that it is my own
story that has caused this one to become so powerful in my life. I feel
that I should share a piece of my story now so that maybe you can
understand a bit more the reasons that I am talking about.

As I grew into an adult I had many struggles, as I believe most
people do, trying to grapple with the realities of life and the
circumstances I had. I never really got into a lot of trouble or
anything, but I can assure you that I was no more righteous in my mind
and heart than people who have. I could still think terrible things and
use my words and actions to manipulate and hurt people if I wanted to
put myself up or make myself feel better. I had my share of
rebelliousness against authority and God in my own ways, even if it was
not apparent to everyone around me.

While this was not entirely who I was and I did have a lot of
qualities that my parents and mentors taught me well, I was just as
guilty and in need of a savior as anyone. In fact, there was a point
that I felt so hopeless and low about myself, my circumstances, and my
future that I really wished there were a way out of facing the whole
thing. I never came to a point of wanting to take my own life but I can
completely understand how people can get there based on how I felt.
There were many people and moments that helped me come back from that
terrible place, but there is one in particular that a can point to as
the turning point in my story.