Many Christians live their life that way, going around the board without
knowing the rules, or the rule maker. Making up their own set of rules, they
try to fit in, and when someone tries to show them the right way, they rebel,
sometimes taking their game and leaving. True, sometimes the rules are forced
on them, by those who don’t know you cannot legislate love, but they never knew
the truth, only saw the headlines, and the notes from the pastor. They played
the game, but were never in it, never losing, but never winning either.
When we become a Christian we are promised eternity. But when does
eternity begin? Like infinity, it has no beginning, so going back as far as you
can you still are in it, and going forward you will always have more time to
go. We are not taught that eternity is right now, that we are in the midst of
it, and it is quality as much as quantity. Ever have an old saint tell you
“I’ve been in church for over 30 years, didn’t tell me about God,” confusing
seat time for heart time. But it is the quality of life we can enjoy now in
Jesus, that many substitute for life after death, which we get, but can have the
benefits today. If we turn to the spirit for guidance, and lean not on our own
understanding. Or we can live life like the girls playing SORRY! by their own
rules.
It is a weakness when we try to figure out solutions based on our own
intellect. When we do, we become bored, change the rules, or disobey them,
ending in frustration. Our own programs leave us uninterested and bored,
leaving us not wanting to be involved. We lose interest, fall back on our old
ways, and soon the joy is gone. But the problem still stays, with a new set of
players. Where God walks in and is told “you don’ t know the rules.” Maybe
not, but I know Jesus...
How often have you planned and planned and yet God did it his way, and for
your benefit? With blessings you never imagined? That is the quality of
eternity now in the spirit, the “on earth as it is in heaven,” of the Lord’s
prayer. The words of Jesus to his disciples, on how to pray. The spirit giving
life despite our input. Have you ever asked God to work through you, then did
what you had planned anyway? Do we cry like a baby when we don’t get our way,
and complain God doesn’t answer your prayers? Maybe...if we saw that every
obstacle is an opportunity for Jesus to show himself in our life, to make us a
true witness of his grace and mercy. In him we get to reveal his glory, grace,
wisdom, and power, no matter the situation. For when we are weakest, his
strength is made perfect. Now, not after death, but today, right now! We
invited him into our lives, not just for the future, but today, which yesterday
was tomorrow. How little meaning time has when we spend it in the eternity of
the right now of Jesus.
Looking back, we see more than if we looked ahead in the spirit. If only
we trusted him as much before as we do after, eternity would be revealed in us
everyday. You can experience that eternity now in Jesus, by listening for his
answer in prayer, by staying in the word, and letting the spirit guide you.
Finding that if you do, you have a greater chance of never having to say you are
sorry. And meaning it! You see games have rules, and the game is played to
win. The young girls that day had no idea what they were missing, and didn’t
want to know. Does that sound like you and your relationship with God? You
need the spirit, the rule of love, and forgiveness. Right now. Those girls
never knew the object of the game was to get home, just like Jesus calls to us
now. To come home to God, be forgiven, and walk in his spirit eternally. With
the blessings now and forever. God’s way, not ours. If that that you have
heard from the beginning is in you, you have eternity now. You will be abiding
in the father and the son, and the spirit. NOW! And live a life you never
dreamed of in the spirit. If not, all you can say is “sorry.” Now you
know...life to some just a game, but to those of us who know Jesus, it is
eternal life. Which gives us a monopoly in the spirit! To which I am never
sorry...for to some life is a bored game only...but in both only the right way
will get you home.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com