A common theme in scriptures and human civilization is earthly prosperity and prestige vs forgiveness of sins and eternal life. How many of us, even God’s own, have gotten this wrong and repeatedly need to be straighten out.

Jesus did not come to elevate us in the here and now, he came to obliterate and restore us. This is a dangerous and necessary journey…. It’s not easy. It’s life or death. There’s no feeling good about ourselves outside of our undeserved blessings and mercies made sweeter by our devastating and pride destroying trials.