Heaven

I went to a class tonight on Heaven. The teacher has based the class on Randy Alcorn's book "Heaven." I am still in awe. My soul has been starved all my life from really considering Heaven, I mean really considering Heaven. Sure, I've thought about it. In all honesty, it scares me a little. Fear of the unknown, I guess. I've wondered if I would get bored - after all, won't we be standing around singing all the time - forever. So many misconceptions. One thing that Randy explores very early in the book is this: How are we supposed to convince others of the importance of Heaven when it is something we don't even understand and may not be too excited about ourselves. That really hit me. After all, isn't Heaven our ultimate goal? Do we even know what we are living for, striving for, destined for? I am still very early in the class and in the book. I am anxious to learn more, and will share more as I do.

Meanwhile, another issue that was laid on my heart tonight.

Recently at work, things had gotten pretty stressful around the office. Tensions were high, fuses were short. Everyone needed a boost. I get an email devotional every day called "What the Lord is Saying Today." Many days it seems as if the Lord himself is emailing me directly. This particular day, the email really fit our office situation, so I forwarded it to several co-workers. One person in particular came to mind right before I hit the "send" button. Should I send this to her? Will she care? Will she be offended? I honestly didn't know what her reaction might be. Sadly enough, we had worked together for years, and I had no idea where she stood with God. I came close to removing her name from the list, but decided against it.

Moments after I sent the email, she appeared at my desk with tears in her eyes. She thanked me for sending it to her, and proceeded to tell me that she knew she needed God in her life. She felt as if she was at the end of her rope many days, and someone in her life had recently told her that she needed to go to church. She explained to me that she had never gone to church much in her life, and knew nothing about the Bible. In fact, she didn't own a Bible. We talked a few minutes and I invited her to come to church with me. But I knew it wouldn't end there.

A few days later, I bought her a Bible and took it to work. I kept it in my desk drawer for several hours. (Isn't it odd that we are often so afraid of rejection or ridicule that we will hesitate to share Christ with someone that we know is hungry for it...) Finally, the right moment presented itself, and I gave her the Bible. Again, she teared up and thanked me profusely. She marveled over the built-in book mark, and as she stood there flipping through it, she stopped and asked my why some of the words were in red. I was blown away. I guess I didn't take her seriously when she told me earlier that she knew nothing about the Bible. I figured, in America - surely everyone has at least SEEN a Bible. Yet here she was, middle class, late 20's, good job, married - and had never opened a Bible in her life.

I am still shaken by the new sense of urgency I felt in that moment. I've heard preachers say all my life that we live in a mission field, but it never hit home until that day. We are surrounded by lost people who are crying out to us for help. Their cries may not come in the form of a question. Instead they may manifest themselves in stories about drinking, sex or any other multitude of things people use to try and find fulfillment.

I have offered to study with this girl, and plan to extend another invitation to church. I am praying that God will continue to work on her heart. And I pray that He will use her to open my eyes to the needs of those around me. I am guilty of thinking I have to be a great evangelist in order to lead others to Christ. Many times, people are just looking for a friend who will love them, accept them, and listen to them. Why do we try to make things so complicated? Who knows, maybe a simple email will end up saving a soul!

Autobahn Christian

How many times have I left God in the dust? Too many. Sometimes I feel like an Autobahn Christian, wanting to take life at warp speed. Yet God often operates like a 95 year old man out for a Sunday afternoon drive (or so it seems). At the outset of the journey, I can get behind God. Trolling along, enjoying the scenery. Then we take a turn down a dirt road. I'm still behind God, but now He's kicking up a bunch of dust, and I can't see where we are going. Frustration sets in.

As frustration builds and mingles with a little fear, impatience begins to grow. Before long I am back there bobbing and weaving, wondering why we are still moving so slow. Anxiety and frustration increase. I begin to tailgate, often having to slam on brakes. Pretty soon, tempers flare. Road rage. Why are we still moving so slow? Will we ever get there? Does He even know where we are going? As tension builds, the urge to speed ahead overwhelms me, and I dart into the other lane and floor the accelerator.

Inevitably, my joy ride does not last. I skid into a little 360 action and am thrown from the vehicle, which lands in a ditch. I lay there dazed and confused at first. When I finally get my bearings, I stand looking at the junk heap that once was a fine ride. It's crumpled, steam billowing out from under the hood, doors hanging open. What am I going to do now?

About that time He comes rolling up, leans across the seat and opens the passenger door.
"Need a lift?" He says, with a toothpick in His mouth and a look of calm contemplation in His eyes.
I walk over, all covered in scrapes, cuts, bruises and dirt.
"I'm a little messy. I'd hate to get your car all dirty."
"No worries. Looks like you could use a helping hand there. Why don't you let me drive for a while?"
I get in.
"Better buckle up," He says with a grin, toothpick still in place.

Just as the buckle snaps into place, I am pressed into the seat by the shear force of our speed. We are flying down the road so fast that things seem to blur in and out of focus. I nervously glance at the speedometer. It's only registering 20 mph!!
"That's obviously busted," I say, thinking aloud.
"Things aren't always as they seem, my child. Look behind us."

I turn, only to see countless cars behind us. All tailgating, bobbing and weaving. Slamming on brakes. Occasionally, they will even bump into each other. Sometimes the drivers are shouting in frustration. Finally, one breaks loose and rockets ahead of us. Meanwhile, we are still moving at warp speed. How in the world can anyone pass us while we are moving this fast?

"We'll stop and pick him up in a bit." He says, one bent arm resting in the open window. Toothpick perched in one corner of His mouth.
"Lord, I don't understand. Out there, it feels like you are moving at a snail's pace. But in here, things are happening so fast, I can barely see."
"Yes, child. I told you, things aren't always as they seem. All I ask is that you trust me. Some things aren't for you to understand just yet. But I have your very best interest at heart. I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. All in due time. All in due time."

Just over the horizon, I see the steaming, crumpled wreck that had passed us only moments ago. The forelorn driver stands, staring at the mess. We slow to a stop and offer him a ride. As he climbs in, I am startled to realize he looks just like me.