Did you hear about the man traveling from New York Atlanta
When the funeral is over and dirt is being shoveled onto your fresh grave… where will your soul be? Will you be in heavenly bliss or will it be a little hot? I know, I know. I’ve gone from story telling to meddling. People cringe when talking about spiritual matters of any kind, but mention heaven or hell and most of us start looking for a polite way to exit the room.
On the other hand, people are also becoming fascinated with the topic. Like Jo b we are asking: “If mortals die, can they live again?” (Jo b ) Movies and books about death and the afterlife are increasingly reaching the best-seller lists. One TV series mom, worried that her son would ask about the meaning of death remembered a statement from her father: “If you pull the plug on a refrigerator, does it keep running?”
I’ll never forget her next comment: “Between the ages of five and seven, I thought when you died the Goodwill truck hauled you away.”
Is that all there is to life and death? Absolutely not!
Lee Strobel, an award-winning journalist at the Chicago Tribune made the journey from spiritual skeptic to teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church
Lee investigated the resurrection as an experienced reporter. He questioned leading authorities of history, the Bible, medicine, law and psychology. Lee researched historical sources and even checked the reliability of eyewitness accounts. His conclusion:
“But we can proceed with bold assurance, thanks to the evidence of history that establishes with convincing clarity how Jesus not only preceded us in death but also came back from the dead and blazed the trail to heaven.”
Paul promised in a letter to the Romans: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Death can’t and life can’t. The angels can’t and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God…” (8:38-39)
Don’t take my word for it; investigate the claims for yourself. Once accepted, you are faced with some significant choices. Do you pursue heaven or hell?
I bought a neck tie recently to match a new suit. Later, I noticed the late Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead designed and named the tie: “The Ship of Fools.” According to newspaper accounts written shortly after his death, Jerry Garcia due to his exploits with women and drugs was often described as a wild and crazy party animal who knew no sensible boundaries. If true, than Jerry Garcia may have been on his own “Ship of Fools.”
What about you? Are you on a “ship of fools” with no happy ending in sight or have you chosen “Christ’s lifeboat to eternity” full of promises that our fears for today and our worries about tomorrow will never keep God’s love away?
Make the choice today and I’ll look forward to seeing you on the lifeboat!
