I am currently planning a trip to Melbourne, FL and trying to decide where we will stop to spend the night, eat a meal or just sightsee a little. There are dozens of ways to get from Williamsburg, VA to Melbourne, FL. Each of them have their own unique characteristics making them appealing on some level.
It may be that we could follow route #17 and pretty much follow the coastline and visit many small communities and appreciate their individual beauty. I like doing this and, like a great friend once said, "There's no better way to get to know a community in a hurry than to eat a meal at one of the local restaurants, especially one where many "locals" eat!"
If we were in a hurry, we would get on I-95 and "...put the pedal to the metal..." and head south! This without doubt is the shortest and quickest way to get to the above destination. The problem with driving interstates all day is that one gets a big bored and can easily become weary and eventually careless. This is not good at 70 miles per hour, but interstate driving is efficient!
One could combine the above two routes and make it a rather interesting trip and still end up in the same place...Melbourne, FL!
The above illustration reminds me that a lot of folk look at our spiritual journey in much the same way! Some have said, "We are all headed to the same place, so why does it matter how we get there!" If we are trying to get to a warmer climate and out of the cold of the Winter in the north, that is problem correct, but that does not apply to our spiritual journey.
Yes, there is only one destination that we all desire to reach...Heaven! We have dreamed about Heaven! Read about Heaven! And, intensely desire to go to Heaven! The difference with this journey is that there is only ONE road to follow! That is right...just one! It is said in JOHN 14:6, "I am the way, I am the truth, and I am the life. No man comes to the Father, but by me." There you have it...singular! One road and the road is Jesus Christ! Following the steps of Jesus will take you to where he is...Heaven! It is acceptable to choose whichever route you want when going to Florida, but when going to Heaven there is only one...Jesus Christ!
I am ready to get this trip started, how about you?
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
You Play Until The Final Whistle...
I sat with millions of others last night watching the 48th annual "Super Bowl" and I did so with startling amazement! I really did not care who won the game, but I did hope to see a great display of talent and sportsmanship from two great teams. Of course, the real reason I wanted to see this game was because of the Denver Bronco's quarterback, Peyton Manning. Having watched him for years play some of the most outstanding games any quarterback ever played, I just knew that last night it was going to be another magnificent performance. I was not ready for what happened!
The more I watched the game and pass after pass soared over receivers' outstretched arms or bounced on the turf right in front of them, the more I realized that this was not "Peyton Manning's Night!" I am taking nothing away from an outstanding performance by the Seahawks defense because they played incredibly well...well enough to win and win BIG! After sixty minutes of interceptions and fumbles there was no doubt about the outcome!
Now that I have had twenty-four hours to think about it the more I realize that life is a lot like that game! I have thrown my interceptions and have dropped the ball many times. Sometimes it is not my throw that was bad, but the way someone else denied me the chance to complete a task. I have not always awkwardly fumbled the ball, but someone knocked the ball out of my hands. That's life! There are always those detractors trying to make us failures and often they succeed!
Notice though that Manning and the Broncos kept playing for the full sixty minutes! The game was out of reach long before the final whistle was blown, but they were still trying to score until the referee blew his whistle and declared, "Game over!" I, too, must keep playing the game of life until it is over...completely over! Regardless of the momentary failures, I must keep moving! The only way I can win is by still playing until the "final whistle!" Then, only then, will I win by the grace of God!
You see, I am not playing for the Lombardi trophy, but for the prize above all prizes...Heaven! A prize that I have been promised if I am "...faithful even until death." Will I play the "perfect" game? Never. Can I play until the game is over? Absolutely! I hope we all win the "crown of life!"
The more I watched the game and pass after pass soared over receivers' outstretched arms or bounced on the turf right in front of them, the more I realized that this was not "Peyton Manning's Night!" I am taking nothing away from an outstanding performance by the Seahawks defense because they played incredibly well...well enough to win and win BIG! After sixty minutes of interceptions and fumbles there was no doubt about the outcome!
Now that I have had twenty-four hours to think about it the more I realize that life is a lot like that game! I have thrown my interceptions and have dropped the ball many times. Sometimes it is not my throw that was bad, but the way someone else denied me the chance to complete a task. I have not always awkwardly fumbled the ball, but someone knocked the ball out of my hands. That's life! There are always those detractors trying to make us failures and often they succeed!
Notice though that Manning and the Broncos kept playing for the full sixty minutes! The game was out of reach long before the final whistle was blown, but they were still trying to score until the referee blew his whistle and declared, "Game over!" I, too, must keep playing the game of life until it is over...completely over! Regardless of the momentary failures, I must keep moving! The only way I can win is by still playing until the "final whistle!" Then, only then, will I win by the grace of God!
You see, I am not playing for the Lombardi trophy, but for the prize above all prizes...Heaven! A prize that I have been promised if I am "...faithful even until death." Will I play the "perfect" game? Never. Can I play until the game is over? Absolutely! I hope we all win the "crown of life!"
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