The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
— Revelation 22:17
Looking to the past I stand in awe, gazing over the rugged landscape of my life as if it were from the top of a great mountain. Stretching across the scenery of years, I see distant peaks and valleys. Far below, a river winds its way through the aging countryside, flowing steadily to a destination known only to the headwaters that give the river life. An occasional cloud wisps by, temporarily obscuring my view, but nothing has changed really. I may not see as clearly as a moment ago, but when the fog-like haze lifts, that which was will still be. I cannot change what has been, nor would I, but what lies ahead is in my hand.
One’s life is a priceless work of art, like a beautiful painting. Each divine stroke of the Creator’s brush has been a purposeful move over the canvas of years intended to connect you to him and to others, that you might know him more fully, as well as the extraordinary plan he has for your life. You are not a cosmic accident or a grown-up germ that crawled out of some slimy primordial soup pond. You are a created being, lovingly created to glorify your creator, to know and embrace your purpose, breaking through the darkness with the life-changing light of God’s love for the world demonstrated in Jesus.