We are not consumers. We are not employees. We are not evolved apes. We're children of God. Know your identity, as Daniel knew his in a foreign land.

Is it so hard to throw away the things that make you miserable? Is it so hard to give up a life full of sadness and mistakes? Give your life to God through Christ. He will guide your new way to greater things. Lay down your burdens.

There is great love in the God who calls us by name. A God who pursues humanity as it flees from him. There is great pity and compassion in the God who comes to Earth to save his people. There is great beauty in the stars and the sunsets and the green forests and blue oceans crafted by the architect of all life. There is incredible rational law and mathematical genius in the workings of the universe and the laws that govern it's functions. Built by the genius mind of our maker.

One of the things that I've come to deeply appreciate about Christianity is it's uncanny ability to pinpoint the truth. And it's the very unpopular truth. Let me tell you a secret: I love being on the side of the undesired truth.

Before Jesus saved me, did I give a crap about the Bible? Nope. Some old book? Why would I? But once I was saved, I could not put it down. I was reading, listening, learning, studying, and it's still the same.. I can't put it down. It's such truth. It shines like a beacon above the din of lies, consumerism and foolishness that clouds the culture.

We know Christ Jesus was tempted in every way possible, and that he endured the pains of a human life without sin. This paid the debt that humanity incurred through it's endless disobedience of God. Our faiths will not be perfect, but let me encourage you to rise again when you fall. And if you can't seem to rise up out of the gloom in your head, or the mindset of sin going on, ask your loving Father for a hand up. We know he answers our prayers. Because he loves us truly.