Dear World,
I am writing to inform you that I have found the true Way. I will no longer be coming to you for direction or advice. For many years, I searched this way and that, wherever you directed me, but I still never found wholeness or peace within. Now I have found the truth through Jesus Christ; something you never did.
I remember the first time you beckoned me to follow your ways. Seeing the distresses and anguish of my youth, you took advantage of the opportunity to draw me from devotion to my upbringing to something that seemed better and more satisfying. You were patient with my skepticism. Eventually, I believed your promises. After a short while, I could see better days on the horizon. That was the first of your illusions.
You showed me all of your wonders, riches, and glory; things that could be mine and who you could make me to be. I just needed to play by your rules: dress how you showed me, talk and act right, and spend time with the right people. At first, I was excited about all the possibilities. I did everything you said, and I was beginning to win acceptance by the rest of your children. It was okay at first when you didn’t deliver the things I thought you would. They were worth the wait. But after a while, I grew weary of chasing after your empty promises. I had tried to be so many things; I didn’t know how to be or who I really was anymore. I didn’t know what I wanted or where to turn next. Emptiness surrounded me. In all my years of faithful devotion to you, you never once satisfied my desire for peace inside in any lasting way. Sure there were plenty of moments of happiness, but no real lasting peace. You showed me so many things you said you wanted to give me; I thought that meant you wanted the best for me. You acted like you cared, and so did your children. But I never really felt loved. I believed you at first, but after a while, I couldn’t believe you anymore. They were all lies! You never showed me the Truth. All that time, I thought I was living, and I was really dead!
When I was down, you did nothing to help. After seven years, all I had to show was a great emptiness and confusion that loomed so large I despaired of life. I could see no resolution. I had reached the point of hopelessness. No one could help me, not friends, counselors, family; no one. My last resort was church.
I remembered what you said about church people: hypocrites, pontificators, having no care for sincere worship. I had seen much of the same in my youth, so that wasn’t hard to believe. I usually steered clear of churches and the people anyway. Their message didn’t seem to matter because their actions invalidated it. I didn’t think they had the answer because I knew good fruit when I saw it. But for some reason, I got myself up one Sunday morning and sat through a service. I hated it! I hated the people, the music: the whole thing! I didn’t know why, but I just did. Desperate, I went again the next Sunday. The pastor preached on “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Philippians 3:13). For the first time, I really understood the message of Christ. I had heard it all before, “Jesus died for your sins;” “Ask Him into your heart.” But this time, it was different. Something happened inside of me. It was as if God was right there. Jesus not only died for my wrongdoings, but He could also sympathize with all the hurt and sorrows inside. I was comforted like never before. Jesus offered to pick me up out of the pit, give me His friendship, and hope for a new life! God, through the mercy of Jesus, did more for me in one instant than you did in seven years! The pastor received me down front, and with tears streaming down my face, I told him, “I want to forget what is behind me.” That day, I was made new again!
World, I believed you, and you deceived me! But now I have found the true Way. Jesus said, “I am the Way…” He is the only Way to life and heaven. “…The truth…” For all the lies you told me, Jesus is true! There is no deceit in Him. “…And the Life…” Jesus gave me life, real life. I tried to be everything you wanted me to be, and I could never become anything! Jesus showed me who I really am, and who He created me to be.
I was as good as dead, and Jesus gave me a new birth so I could walk in the newness of life. The emptiness you left me with was filled in an instant, never to be felt again! The confusion, even at that moment, began to clear. I cannot believe you, but I can believe Jesus. His promises, He keeps. I may have been your child for a season, but now I have been adopted into a new family, the family of God. And I am truly loved by them!
I see now how you really are, World. I know your deeds. I am going to tell everyone who has fallen for your lies and trickery the truth about you. And don’t even try to stop me!
Sincerely,
ME