Thank you Jesus for a glimpse into your kingdom these last three days and the humble reminder that the ways we still fall short aren’t barriers from an eternity with you! Too often in life, we resemble Alexander the Great from Matthew 13, chasing after worldly pleasures instead of seeking the blessings of communion with the Lord. Yet, we are called to allow our outward selves to perish and to let our inward selves be renewed daily, allowing us to draw strength and hope from Christ. When our hope becomes misplaced, we miss God’s purpose for our lives, for hope cannot exist in the absence of faith. Just as God delivered David from the lion’s paw in 1 Samuel 17:37, so too will Christ remove the thorns from our lives. Rather than running in fear and shame, like Alexander after he killed his best friend Cleitus in a dispute over worldly pursuits, we are called to act like Peter in John 21:7. We must run towards Christ in our shame, falling humbly at His feet, knowing that although we bring nothing to the table, He still invites us to partake as people that are loved are always welcome to feast. Furthermore, God allowing us to feel our brokenness and weakness is a gift. Without this, we begin relying on our own works to help us rather than looking to Christ. Psalm 1:2-3 reminds us that when we meditate on God’s word day and night, we are like trees planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season, and prospering in all we do. In our weakness, we are reminded to stop and rely on God’s word, for in it we find life, strength, and the hope that leads to true transformation. Cling to Christ, bear your cross daily, & continue running the race. There is an abundance of treasure in Him that will never run dry!