The Greatest Fairy Tale.

"It is a world of magic and mystery, of deep darkness and flickering starlight. It is a world where terrible things happen and wonderful things too. It is a world where goodness is pitted against evil, love against hate, order against chaos, in a great struggle where often it is hard to be sure who belongs to which side because appearances are endlessly deceptive. Yet for all its confusion and wildness, it is a world where the battle goes ultimately to the good, who live happily ever after, and where in the long run everybody, good and evil alike becomes known by His true name... That is the fairy tale of the Gospel with, of course, one crucial difference from all other fairy tales, which is that the claim made for it is that it is true, that it not only happened once upon a time but has kept on happening ever since and is happening still." - Frederick Buechner

We grew up believing in fairy tales. As little girls, we submerged ourselves into the lives of characters like Bell, Ariel, and Cinderella. We grew up believing that love conquers all, that good triumphs over evil, and that someday our prince would come to sweep us off our feet. As little boys, we saw what it was like to be a true man -- to rescue the endangered princesses, to battle the villains, to risk our lives for a greater good. Girls had the desire for affection. Boys had the desire for adventure. We grew up believing in fairy tales -- believing that one day we would get to experience one of our own. The truth is that there is a fairy tale out there for every one of us. The lie is that it can be found within the world's definitions of love and sacrifice. We engage in battle every day -- the battle between adhering to the world's standards or drowning ourselves in a love unlike any other.

We all have a yearning inside of us. It is a yearning for intimacy, beauty, and adventure. It is a yearning for a fairy tale kind of romance. It is a desire for a story so grand, that no one can touch its magnificence, its magic, its appeal. We desire the kind of story that others long to have -- the kind that is told for generations to come. From early on in our lives, we look for it. We look for it in our relationships, in our successes, in our personal image. We look to it in moving to the right places, in going on certain trips, in engaging with strangers. Life is a mystery we are constantly trying to solve. We open doors waiting for the fairy tale to greet us on the other side. With every disappointment, we open another door, certain that this will be the one we've been waiting for. We all have a yearning, but chances are we have been looking in the wrong places to find our fairy tale.

If love is about sacrifice and caring for another more than yourself, than I would ask what is the greatest sacrifice that can be given? The answer is simple: your life. And there is only One who gave His life for everyone. God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. There is no sacrifice greater than that. Which means, there is no love greater than that. It is a love that is given freely, without expecting anything in return. It is a love that never fades. It is a love that cannot be taken away. It is a love that conquers evil. It is a love that rescues us from darkness. It is a love that restores what has been lost. It is a perfect love that casts out all fear.

Does that sound like a fairy tale? It does to me, because it sounds too good to be true. And that's what fairy tales are made of right? Things we can't comprehend -- Magic. Power. Triumph. The difference between who God is and what all other fairy tales consist of is the Truth. Everything He is will always remain the same. Everything He promises will never be taken away. In this fairy tale, God is the storyteller, and He is writing the most beautiful of tales. And perhaps it is a bit of magic - we can't understand how it comes to be or comprehend why it exists, but we know its there. Because we see it, because we feel it, because it lives inside of us. God gives us all the things we've ever wanted.

He show us that love does conquer all -- His love conquers all. He triumphs over every evil. He rescues us every day. He brings us adventure. He equips us with the strength to battle the world. He gives us intimacy and comfort unlike any other. His love is greater than any other. When we call, He answers. When we fall, He picks us up. When we are weak, He is strong. He saves us - over and over and over again. He reassures us. He tells us that we are enough -- beautiful enough, strong enough, worthy of everything He wants to give us. His love is patient, and kind. It is not jealous, it is not boastful, it is not proud. His love is not rude or self-seeking. His love keeps no record of wrongs. His love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the Truth. His love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. His love never comes to an end. His love is yours if you want it.

There is a beautiful fairy tale waiting for you. It is your own to have - a beautiful song orchestrated just for you, sweeter than anything you have ever heard. It is a fairy tale that will fulfill your deepest desires. It is a fairy tale that will satisfy the longings of your heart. It will quench everything you need. It will satisfy every hunger. It will fill you with a joy you've never before known. If you let God love you, the way He wants to love you, you will find you will experience love in other places as well. When we are full of God's love for us we are able to love others the way He loves us. The fairy tale can transform every part of your life. God's fairy tale can change who you are. God's fairy tale can give you a story others will long to be a part of.

We all grew up believing in fairy tales. But somewhere along the way we lost the magic we used to believe in. We gave up hope. We let go of our deepest wishes. We compromised for love. We settled for a safe adventure. Just because we get older doesn't mean the magic has to fade. In reality, it is time to let the magic grow. It is time for the fairy tale to be reignited within us. It is time for God to take control of our lives. It is only then that we will see good at the work of His hands. It is only then that our lives will be wrecked with a love so beautiful we can hardly believe it to be true. It is only then that we will find we have everything we could ever need. It is only then that the world loses the battle. It is only then that we believe we are enough -- because God is more than enough for us. He wants to give each and every one of us a fairy tale romance -- where good always wins and love always grows.

Psalm 103

Praise the Lord, my soul. Do not grow weary at the weight of life upon your shoulders. Do not hide yourself in the darkest places. You are not alone. You never have to be alone. Do not let the world entrap you with its lies. Do not wallow in the depths of the things you are missing. Instead, remember all the good He has done. There is a beautiful story waiting for you, if only you are willing to let go. Let go of every chain. Surrender it all to Him. Only then will His sacrifice be able to shine light into your dark places. Give up your life, and gain eternity. He forgives all your sins. He rescues your life from the pit. He crowns you with mercy and compassion. He fills your life with blessings so that you become young again like an eagle. Do you want to fly? Do you want to soar? Do you want to travel to unknown places and witness miracle? Do you want to be free? Then let the Lord in.

The Lord is compassionate, merciful, patient, and always ready to forgive. You are never without hope. You are never beyond redemption. You are never unworthy of love. You are never out of reach. The Lord is holding out His arms, simply waiting for you to come. He will wait as long as it takes. He is never far away. He looks to you like a Father looks at his child -- full of desire and promise, eager to protect, willing to aid you, to guide you. He wants to be your shelter. He wants to be your strength. He wants to be your source of fulfillment. He wants to give you comfort. Everything you've ever wanted can be yours. The emptiness can fade. The longing can subside. The brokenness can be healed. His compassion never ends. He will never let you go.

As high as the heaves are above the earth - that is how vast His mercy is toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west - that is how far He has removed our rebellious acts from Himself. He covers you in His grace. He wipes away every sin. He dries every tear. Nothing is too great for Him to forgive. No pit is too deep for His rescue. Are you afraid - of not being good enough? Of not being deserving of His compassion? Of not having what it takes to be loved? Do not be afraid. He gives us everything simply because we choose Him, because He loved us first. Human life is as shot lived as grass. It blossoms like a flower in the field. When the wind blows over the flower, it disappears, and there is no longer any sign of it. Life on earth is short, but life with the Father is eternal. God is forever, as is His kingdom. If only we choose to follow Him.

His righteousness belongs... to those who are faithful to His promise, to those who remember to follow His guiding principles. His Kingdom is yours to be a part of if you choose Him. Surrender all, and gain eternity. Listen to His teachings. Seek counsel from His followers. Learn to walk with Him in everything that you do. Make your life a living sacrifice to His glory. You will never regret it. For God safeguards the steps of His faithful ones. He blesses those who put Him at the center of their lives. He will shower you will blessings you could never imagine. He will wreck your life, and put it back together -- to show you that He can make the broken things beautiful again. He will restore you. He will renew you. He will fill your heart with overflowing joy. Give it all over to Him and you will gain everything.

Praise the Lord, my soul. I have seen the light and am not turning back. I have been consumed with an unfathomable love. I have been restored by grace. I have been made new again. I have been covered by a mercy I don't deserve. I have experienced blessing upon blessing. I have been filled with joy. I have surrendered my earthly life. I have obeyed a King to inherit a Kingdom. I have fallen on my face, only to be picked back up again. Praise the Lord, my soul. I am not alone. I have a friend, and His name is Jesus. He has called me as His own.