What shopping! (don't tell my husband) What a "lake"--which, for my money, is an ocean--Huuuuuuge! Oh, and did I mention, what EATING?!
But let me get to the ultimate, shining highlight of our trip: "Hamilton." Yes, that's right--the musical based upon Alexander Hamilton's life. I've already recounted this in an earlier blog post, but just to briefly recap:our daughter, Janie, has been obsessed with "Hamilton" for a good long while. She could--and I mean this literally--understudy every single role in the musical, because she’s memorized every single word of every single song and every single rap.
She played the musical score so many times that I’m sure all her housemates were ready to scream! She watched the pirated version of an undercover video of the musical. She’s researched all the in’s and out’s of about every aspect of the show and it’s unbelievably talented author and composer—Lin Manuel-Miranda. Janie’s desperately wanted to see Hamilton for a good long time, but there was a problem: the tickets in New York were sold out till the rapture…and if by some chance you could get your hands on one, they cost an arm and a leg.
But Janie remained undaunted in her single-minded quest to see Hamilton, and her extraordinary love for the show was contagious. So after learning that "Hamilton" was opening in Chicago in October, well, that was it. Time for a senior year fall break road trip with moms and daughters (and for a few of us, also for our older daughters as well. Yay!).
Of course, priority numero uno was to buy tickets to "Hamilton." My girls and I had no idea what hotel we were staying in or when our flights were scheduled to depart and arrive, but you can bet your britches we were totally on top of buying those tickets. And as soon as we did, I was informed in no uncertain terms by my daughters that I MUST learn and be completely familiar with the complex story, because I absolutely, positively--under pain of death--was NOT permitted to ask questions during the musical! (Which is a bit of challenge for me.) So for a solid month, I listened intently to the 1000 page book on CD on which the musical is based. In my car, it was ALL Hamilton, ALL the time. And we all listened to the music...and listened and listened.
Okay, enough background. Fast forward to weekend before last. By the time we arrived in Chicago, most of us were incredibly familiar with Hamilton—his real life story and his musical. And we were all super excited to finally get to see this show that has garnered universal acclaim. We all totally loved the sight-seeing, shopping, and eating…but unquestionably the most highly anticipated moment would be our last night in Chicago when we’d see “Hamilton.”
After such a build up, I wondered if anything could possibly live up to all the hype and excitement. Well guess what? It didn’t meet our ultra-high expectations…it blew them out of the water. Listening to the music, reading the book, and learning about the composer all PALED in comparison to actually going to it and seeing it in person. It was absolutely INCREDIBLE!
But you know what I realized? Before we went to Hamilton, we could appreciate the story. We could savor the music. We could admire the composer. But until we jumped in and experienced the actual show, we couldn’t imagine how much we were missing.
There’s nothing like the real deal, is there? Its like the difference between looking at a photograph of the ocean versus actually sitting on the beach and enjoying the sun, waves, and salt air! Well, in an infinitely greater, more destiny-altering, life-changing, and joy-filling way, that’s the radical difference between "religion" and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Religion essentially says “If I perform and obey, I’m accepted.” But the Gospel says, “I am fully accepted in Jesus Christ, and therefore I obey.” Religion says “Be as good as you possibly can and then maybe you can come into God’s kingdom.” The Gospel says, “Come on in, you’re welcomed into God’s Kingdom, because Jesus was perfect in His goodness for you.” Religion can mean little more than knowing something about Jesus, but the Gospel means knowing Jesus personally as Savior.
It’s all the difference in the world, because religion leads to endless striving, self-effort, and self-righteousness while the Gospel leads to freedom, joy, and Christ’s righteousness. With religion, we can feel prideful or anxious, but with the Gospel, we’re humbled and grateful. And with religion, obedience is a burden, but with the Gospel of Jesus obedience is a blessing.
Religion is a little like dutifully listening to the book on CD about Hamilton, because you desperately want to understand the plot; but the gospel is joyfully experiencing the real deal when you watch the actual musical and are overcome by the beauty of the story and music. Like I said, it’s ALL the difference in the world!
I say all this, because how often have you heard people say something like, "Oh I hear you're religious." I always want to shout, "No, no! It's not about being religious. It's all about being in a living, breathing relationship with the Savior who made you, loves you, and died for you!"
Jesus is the Gospel! He’s the real deal—the glorious reality of God incarnate giving us His righteousness in exchange for our sinfulness. Praise God that because He came, died for our sins, and rose to new life, we can rejoice rather than living enslaved to our fears or frustrations or feelings of either pride on the one hand or despairing inadequacy on the other. None of us will ever be good enough...but that's okay, because Jesus was and is and always will be.
So today, if Jesus is your Redeemer, rejoice that you have the real deal, and He will never, ever leave you, nor forsake you. Because "there's nothing like the real thing, baby!"
To God be the glory.
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