Escape to Wisconsin?
Aug.17,2013
http://getmorestrength.org
“Each man’s work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:13
If you live near a big city, no doubt you’ve been caught in
the torturous experience of creeping along in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
This can be particularly annoying if you are in a hurry to get
somewhere—to say nothing of how revealing it can be about our true
spiritual condition.
As a Christian, I have to admit that I don’t have enough gestures to
express my true feelings when traffic gets really bad! So the only way
to relieve the tension is to spend the time reading the interesting
bumper stickers that reveal the political and personal irritations of
the drivers nearby.
Among the more interesting ones: “As a matter of fact I do own the
road!” and “If a woman’s place is in the home, why am I always in this
SUV?” I particularly like the one that says, “You can’t scare me. I’ve
got triplets!”
I’m reminded of Paul Harvey, who once reported seeing two bumper
stickers on a car in Chicago: on one side, “Jesus is coming!” and on the
other side of the bumper, an invitation by the Wisconsin Department of
Tourism to “Escape to Wisconsin!”
Well, Jesus is coming again, but when He does, no one will
be able to escape to Wisconsin—or anywhere else for that matter. The
most despicable pagans, the most vocal scoffers, the most intelligent
deniers, the most thoughtful agnostics, and the most ardent atheists
will not be able to find refuge. Instead, as Paul tells us in Philippians 2:10-11,
they will join the great final worship service and, with all humanity,
they too will bow their knees and confess with their mouths that Jesus
is indeed the Lord. No doubt it will be a humbling and scary event for them.
For those of us who have been worshiping the worthy name of Jesus
long before His return, it is good to know that. Though we have often
been ridiculed for such a naïve and retro view of life, it’s reassuring
to know we were right about Jesus all along!
But I need to add: though grace will prevail for those of us who have
believed, and our sins and failures will be remembered no more, there
is some jeopardy for us as well. The apostle Paul writes that we will be
saved, but “with fire.” At His appearing, the flame of His glory will
burn away all the wood, hay, and stubble from our lives, leaving only
the gold, silver, and precious jewels. The wood, hay, and stubble,
interestingly enough, is not necessarily our sins, but rather all we
spent our time doing that had no use for eternity.
Francis Schaeffer used to talk about the tragedy of what he called
“ash-heap Christians.” He was talking about those of us who had lived
our lives for the fleeting pleasures and pursuits of earth-side stuff
and gain. Think of standing there in His glorious presence knee-deep in
ashes with nothing of eternal significance to present to Him. You’ll
wish you could be in Wisconsin!
So, what have you done lately to make His return a happy event for
you? Got any gold to offer Him when He appears? Believe me, seeing Him
face-to-face after having lived a productive life for eternity’s gain
will be lots better than seeing Wisconsin!
YOUR JOURNEY…
- How often do you consider the reality that Jesus could come back at any moment?
- How does that reality impact your task list for today? What should be added to your to-do list? What could be taken off the list?
- Take a minute to pray that God will bring some worthy investment options to mind—places for you to put your time and talents to good use for eternity. Then pick one of them and pursue it!
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