The Cross. How can we, who are imperfect and deserving of eternal damnation, ever look to God and ask, "why?" when something doesn't go right. We plan things according to our road map, He plans according to His birds-eye view. What are you more willing to trust? We see twists and turns and unpleasant situations, but Christ sees from start to finish. What's even more amazing is that that Christ died for you! He came to die for selfish, pigheaded, sinful, me. What kind of love is that? What love would drive a God of the universe to send His son-His only son-to die for not only selfish, pigheaded, sinful me; but for the whole population of selfish, pigheaded, sinful vagabonds! Why? That love is so far beyond the reach of this temporal world, that it should drive us to our knees and cause us to live a life of awe. We should wake up every day of our lives, and so long as we have breath, thank God that He died for us because we should never get over the amazing love He has for us. Little me, God...God loves little me?? It doesn't stop there; God wants to have unending fellowship with us. The God of gods, the God of all creation, the God of love, wants you to fellowship with Him every day. He wants to lead you through life. 
 I used to picture God's guiding as God standing behind us and pushing us on as He gives instruction. But I realized, if we let Him, God wants to step out in front of us, put His hand in ours, and lead us through everything life throws at us. Even more vivid is a shephered carrying an injured sheep to a safe haven. Why? Because He loves us. As we go through our life, we inevitably come across something unexpected, and our response is to get angry at the God who loves us and ask, "why?". We can't understand why He allows pain and suffering, especially if it lands in our backyard. We constantly challenge and turn our backs on Him, the God who loved us so much that He suffered and died for us. For shame. That attitude only reveals our need to cling to Him. As Cary Schmidt refrences in his book, Off Script, in times like these we need to turn our thinking around and ask, "Why would a good God allow good things to happen to bad people."

 Rough road will come, but it's part of the journey. Put your trust in the One who knows the destination from the journey. Let the cross be a reminder of how much God loves you and how undeserving you are of His love. This Christmas, see the journey of Christ's life from start to finish and stand in awe of His sacrifice. Share His love with others and watch how a loving God leads them to the cross.

 
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..."
"For unto us is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." 
"And the word became flesh and dwelt among us."