1901 – 1987. Any idea what those dates represent? They are the birth and death year of my grandmother. She and I were very close throughout my life and her passing was difficult except for the fact that I know I will see her again. While the dates represent the obvious, that small dash represents an entire lifetime. The significance of the dash and how I view it is the subject of this blog.
If you recall from a previous post, I had mentioned that books give you insight into people's lives. You can learn in days what it took someone an entire life to learn. In essence, that is the dash. It’s not necessary to author a book for the dash to have significance; it’s merely a result of life, and worth recognizing. What that means in fact, is that every day, be it filled with productive activity or completely void of anything worth remembering, is a day that has value somehow, even if you don’t recognize it at the time. The truth is that a simple benign conversation could be the difference between someone else being encouraged or not. You never know what is going on in someone’s life and everyone has a story.
One day, a man and his 2 young children were riding on the bus. His children were loud, moving about, and to be honest, disruptive and annoying. This I’m certain is what most of the other passengers were thinking. And they had to wonder why the father wasn’t controlling them, in fact didn’t even attempt to. The longer this went on, the more agitated the passengers became. One such woman couldn’t contain herself any longer and went over to this man and asked him why he wasn’t doing anything about his children, and that didn’t he realize that they were being disruptive. Solemnly, the man looked up at her and quietly responded. He told her that just 2 days ago, the children had lost their mother to an accident and that they just didn’t know how to handle it. He added that in fact, he himself didn’t know how to handle it.
The point here is obvious, that everyone has a story and therefore everything you do and say does have significance, at least to someone. If each day is significant, imagine what a lifetime represents. This point really brings our “dash” into perspective a bit, and also prompts the question of hope. Where does the hope that lies within you come from? Things can seem hopeless at times I realize but, in general people are hope filled, anchored to something that transcends daily drudgery, events and routine. Figure that one out and you will live your life with purpose. We’ll circle back to that in a bit. In the mean time, just know that purpose, significance and hope are all intertwined and are ultimately reflected in your dash.
Growing up, Jason and his dad always spent Saturday afternoons washing and admiring the 1967 Mustang Fastback that dad promised he’d give to Jason when he was old and responsible enough to take ownership of it. It truly was a beauty, and they both dreamed of that day. Jason would drive and his dad would be the passenger. They would drive into town, just to be seen, he could hardly wait. Over the years, the anticipation grew making the dream even more vivid and desirable. The time had finally arrived; Jason had his license now for one year and had a part time job, time to talk with dad. Dad would give him the car as promised but wanted him to think about his faith, and understand how God, the car, and he were all connected. He gave Jason a bible, Jason wanted the title. Without saying a word, he accepted the bible, went to his room, put the bible on his desk and never opened it. The relationship became strained and Jason never brought the car up again. Dad attempted to communicate but Jason was unreceptive. What Jason didn’t know is that his dad had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had a short time to live. Dad wanted to make sure that Jason had a firm foundation, and understand that his life’s hopes and purpose would be found in meeting Jesus. It couldn’t have been more than 18 months before dad died. At this point, Jason was aware of dad’s condition and had already begun renewing the relationship. It wasn’t for a while though that Jason would open his bible. One day he did, and as he thumbed through it, he came upon something tucked inside. The title. Jason was welling up with tears that he could no longer hold back. Memories of his dad flooded his mind and the car seemed insignificant. It was then that he got on his knees and asked God for forgiveness. He asked God to reveal himself in a way that he would understand, he wanted to know what his dad knew, and wanted to be reassured he would be reunited with dad once again.
It’s a process knowing God. It takes a lifetime. The good news is that He desperately wants us to know Him and is patient (though I wouldn’t recommend testing His patience as you never know what will happen). Risking eternity just isn’t worth it. It took Jason this tragedy to bring him to the point where he was willing to learn just how his life and God were connected. What he will find out is that God created him with a purpose, equipped him with gifts, and will grow him into the person he is intended to become. Jason’s part in this is to get to know God through prayer, people, and reading His love letter (the bible). Jason will be reunited with his dad, but not for a span of time represented by a small dash, but for eternity.
In Revelation chapter 21 (last book of the bible), you will find God’s promise of eternal life:
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Further in this same chapter you find God’s promise for those who reject Him:
6He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
Jesus warns us of false teachers. Many things in life speak to our emotions and “move” us. Where are we being transported to? It’s important to seek truth, not movement.
In the New Testament book of John, chapter 14: verse 6, Jesus says this: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
The only way to God’s promise of eternal joy among Him and all those who have believed is by accepting the one and only gift of redemption found in Jesus. We are all sinners and not worthy of God’s grace, but by Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, we have been redeemed and accepted.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
You can accept this gift by praying a prayer where you acknowledge your sin, unworthy of God’s grace because of it, and in desperate need of redemption through Jesus. Ask God to forgive your sins and to reveal himself to you in a way that you can know him
Your were created for a purpose, God knows this purpose and you will be where you are supposed to be when you align yourself with His will for you. Know that your destiny lies in His capable hands, and that your salvation is secure in God’s promise through the Christ Jesus.
Like Jason, You will be reunited with fellow believers, but not for a span of time represented by a small dash, but for eternity.
No comments:
Post a Comment