What would people think? This question cripples us more than we realize. Peter, the rock of the church and friend of Jesus, struggled with this same fear. When influential Jews arrived, he abandoned his Gentile brothers—worried about approval instead of walking in grace.

Here's the truth: living in shame is just our attempt to pay for our own sin. But God has already declared you righteous through Christ. You are justified—just as if you'd never sinned. Grace is like the tide on a beach, constantly washing away our failures and giving us a clean canvas to start again.

Today's challenge: Rely on Jesus a little more today than you did yesterday. Die to the fear of man and live in the approval of Christ. Because at the end of the day, His love and acceptance is all that truly matters.

"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." - Galatians 2:20

Worth the wait. That's what Christmas is really about.

For 700 years, God's people waited for the Messiah. Through darkness, silence, and disappointment, they held onto hope. Then Jesus arrived—not as a conquering king, but as a vulnerable baby. The wait was over, and Emmanuel, God with us, had come.

Just like parents waiting for their child to be born, Jesus has been waiting for you. He sees you. He knows you. And He thinks precious thoughts about you that cannot be numbered (Psalm 139). Maybe you've been close to saying yes to Him before. Maybe today is your day to be spiritually born into God's family.

This Christmas Eve, remember: Jesus was worth the wait for the world, and you are worth the wait to Him. The greatest gift isn't under a tree—it's a Savior in a manger who came to seek and save you.