My friend, Corie, wrote a really great, heartfelt, and convicting blog post the other day. You can read it here. Not only does she have something great to say but she is so very eloquent in saying it. Not only should you keep reading this post, you should go and read hers (because she probably said it better than I will).
What really got me about her post was the story about Penn Jillette and his video blog post that you can see here. He basically talks about a man who approached him after a show and gave him a Bible (or part of one) and goes on and on about what a good, nice, kind man this was. What strikes me is when he talks about those of us who believe in heaven and hell and how we aren't saying anything to those around us who might not be headed to heaven - he says, "How much do you have to hate someone?" I've got to tell you there are people that aren't easy for me to get a long with but that doesn't mean I want to see them spend eternity in hell. He also talks about a truck. If there was a truck coming and it was going to hit you, I would push you out of the way to save your life. This analogy really hit home to me - like, plane terms, wow, I never thought of it that way - hit home.
So, here's what I have to say. I'm sorry if I've never said anything to you. To be honest I haven't said a lot to anyone. Why? Well, mostly because I thought my actions would show someone the love of Jesus and they'd just ask me. Let's be honest though - I'm not perfect (nor do I claim to be). I'm going to mess up as is every other Christian you'll meet. None of us are perfect and we all have our struggles and demons. Another reason? Because I'm afraid. Seriously, lame excuse. I guess I've felt indirectly attacked for my conservative, Bible based beliefs so I was afraid. I see what society says about people like me so I've hunkered down and kept to myself. Well, here's where I say I care too much about what happens to you to be afraid. God is alive and well. He gave the greatest gift of all, his son, so that we all could spend eternity with him in Heaven - a place where there is no crying, no pain, no fear - picture bliss, true happiness.
If you've gone to church even once in your life, you've probably heard or read 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." God sent Jesus to save us. You have to believe in Jesus, and hopefully if you celebrate Christmas you do. He's the reason we celebrate, right?
If you've got that step, the next is to just start talking to him. Get to know Jesus. Read about him. If you don't have a bible and want one, I'll get you one - please ask! John 10:9 says "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved." Despite what many may say or believe, Jesus is the only way to heaven. If you have decided that you do believe that Jesus is the way then ask him to take up residence in you, start a relationship with him - a real, personal, relationship. He doesn't want what you think you should say, he wants you - the good, the bad, and the ugly. He will fill you and that hole inside of you if you'll let him. He will begin to change your life from the inside out.
One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11-13, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." So here's one of the things about being a Christian - it doesn't mean your life is going to be a cake walk, but it does mean you have someone to walk with you and carry you when it gets difficult. Everyone faces problems, trials, periods of time where nothing seems to go right. God knows it and he'll help you through it. He doesn't promise it will be easy though. The bold part is the best because it assures us, when we seek God, we will find him! He won't hide!
Ok, so let me try to bring this one to a close...if you are someone who doesn't believe in God, what if you're wrong? Why not give the God thing a try for a month? I mean, really give it a try, start praying every day for 30 days. Prayers don't have to be rehearsed or elaborate. Consider it a conversation. Tell him what you did that day, what bothered you, what your fears are, what you're thankful for. Write in a journal for the month and see if anything changes. If nothing in your life changes, then you can go about your normal routine (but I'll still be praying for you). What if something does change, though? You'll never know if you don't try.
If you do believe in God and feel like you don't know where to go, talk to me or someone else. Head to your friend's church on Sunday. You have someone who will talk to you and offer help. Like my friend, Corie said, I can't guarantee that we'll have all the answers but we'll try. Please, the truck is coming at some point and I don't want you to get hit! I am saying this because I love you and your life depends on it.
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