 Fall is my favorite season of the year. I love the crisp breeze, the sound of crunching leaves, and the smell of woodsmoke. But it won’t be long before this season passes, and winter’s cold, dreary days appear again.
 What does a successful life look like?
In our Americanized way of thinking, we usually answer that question with things like a nice home, a stable relationship, and a steady job with a good salary. Of course, none of those things are wrong in and of themselves. But we must never forget how, as followers of Christ, our definition of success must be shaped by God’s kingdom rather than this world.  I began my fourth year of college this week. But I’m in a five-year Master of Divinity program, so it’s not exactly my senior year. On Tuesday, Jordy had an appointment for her pregnancy. While waiting for her to return from seeing the OBGYN, I read Systematic Theology. Thankfully, our baby is looking good. And so is my life. But it’s looking a whole lot different than I expected.
 All of us have our sights set on something. Maybe it’s to make more money. Maybe it’s to be more successful. Maybe it’s to find as much comfort as we possibly can. But how often do we set our sights on Christ?
 My wife and I are four months away from holding our baby boy, Dayton Emmaus. Then, a year or so from now, he’ll be holding our hands as he tries to balance himself and walk for the very first time. And our boy will stumble. He’ll fall down, unable to stand. But the calm hands of someone he trusts will pick him up and steady him again.
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