Sunday, March 17, 2013

Don't you DARE walk away!!!

I saw the below picture a few months ago and its been haunting me.  Enough so, I decided to google it, find it again, and share with the University Pickers gang.  
I don't know if I heard this as a child or what, (perhaps the "concept" is even Biblical although I'm not sure,) but I have always had a strong vision of what it's going to be like when we get to Heaven.  

I like to imagine that before we are welcomed by the arms of Jesus, we first enter a "holding room."  I can visualize a large, movie screen coming down and sitting in the big, dark room completely alone.  It will be one of those moments in time where you will feel the sensation of your heart beating out of your chest.  It's a bit cold, and then, scene by scene, year by year, our life will be played before our eyes.  

That day when you were late for work because you couldn't find your keys.....  That stranger that you were kind to....  That tragic event that took place in your life... ALL the "whys of life" will be explained.  We will have the biggest "ah-ha" moments ever imaginable.  

We just think we know what our "most embarassing moment" has been in life.   Just wait until we see on the big screen the harsh words we used on our spouse.....The time we "made fun" of someone or mocked someone.... The time we interrupted or ignored that small child trying to tell or show us something.... The time we ignored that feeling to call someone just to say "hi."  The time we criticized.... judged.... discouraged ... hated... ignored... avoided... lied... cheated... misled...  AND the effects these moments may have had on others.  Ugh!  I just can imagine looking over and seeing Jesus weeping in the background during these sinful moments.  I expect to cry soulful, agonizing tears.

I have complete faith, however, that in the end of the movie of our "life," we will have a crystal clear understanding of what our intended purpose was and the magnitudes of impacts, both for the good and bad, that we had while in the flesh.

I say "intended," because not everyone lives up to their intended, God-given purpose or potential.

I am currently reading a book by John Maxwell, and in it, he tells a story about a man who dies and goes to heaven and while at the gates of heaven, he asks St. Peter, "Who was the greatest Colonel who ever lived?"  St. Peter points over to a man standing in the distance.  "Impossible! The man says.  I knew that man on earth and he was no Colonel!  He worked at the local factory in my town and never served a day of military in his life!"  And St. Peter responds, "True.  But had he had followed the desires that were placed in his heart, he was the greatest Colonel who ever lived.  That was his purpose that unfortunately he chose not to fulfill it.  There has not or will not be another that would be a great as he."

I have burned the above image in my mind, and I must tell you, I have had to "call upon it" for encouragement the last fews weeks.  

So, I leave you this week with this word of encouragement and this is my prayer this week for us all... If the Lord has put something in your heart, DO NOT give up and walk away!!  Although you cannot see it and it may feel like you have done everything, keep the faith!  You are ALMOST to your breakthrough!!!  

This is I know to be true:

Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.