The Best Christian in the World:

No, I am not claiming that title, not at all. I had to keep myself from chuckling this morning though while participating in the annual “See You at The Pole” (a morning of prayer for the school year) at the HSE Jr. High.

It was really cool to see all of the teens come out to pray and the sincerity of their hearts. Not that I’d trade sincerity, but sincerity and accuracy are two distinctly different things. If I sincerely believe that I am going to marry one of the girls from Superchic[k], it doesn’t mean that they are going to walk into my office begging me to be a part of their life. What is more accurate is that I will never know them as anything more than a band.

I set this all up to say this: while one of the kids was praying (and I do not remember the logical progression that got him to this point), he shouted “God, you are the best Christian in the world!” I almost burst out into laughter at what immediately ran through my head.

Is God, the Father, a part of His Son’s fan club? Maybe he was referring to the Holy Spirit or Jesus Himself. I can picture that: Jesus walking around with a t-shirt that reads “I’m my own biggest fan!” Would He wear a cross around His neck or trendy bracelets with scripture on them?

Would He walk around singing songs about how great He is and how there is no one like Him? Could you imagine Jesus singing, “I am awesome in this place, mighty Me?” Or what about “I will give Me all your worship, I will give Me all your praise. I alone I long to worship, I alone am worthy of My praise?”

I can imagine it, but could not see it. Could you picture the arrogance that He would be viewed with? I mean, yeah, He is God and has every reason to be exalted, but isn’t that kind of our job?

Pardon me if I bounder on heresy, I just found the thought entertaining. It made me realize just how much we need to teach accurate, biblical Christianity, not sensational, emotional legalism.

Dodging my Untimely Demise:

Dying is not on my list of things to do today. Yes, I am assured in my salvation and I am right with God, but I there are several things that I have left to do with my life. I don’t think that it would be a stretch to say that God would agree with me.

I believe it was John Wesley who once said, “Until I have completed the tasks that God has set out for me to do, I am invincible.” This week, being what it has been, I would have to subscribe to that thought. Though the incidence I am about to tell you did not end in fatality or serious injury myself or any other breathing thing, just my wallet.

I was on my way to spend time with friends from Pennsylvania up in Marion at the Indiana Welseyan University. While traveling a back route, I was preparing to stop at a light and as usual, I started to gradually apply pressure to my breaks. My foot complied, the vehicle did not in a way that I anticipated.

After hearing something snap and feeling it pull hard to the starboard side, I pulled over and made a few phone calls. I deduced that something was the matter, but lacking automotive, I was clueless as to what I was looking for. Mutiny! The van was rebelling against me!

I eased it into a garage in Marion to have the dumbfounded mechanic ask me how far I had drive on such a rickety vessel. I casually told him that I had driven about 30 miles on it. He informed me that I have incredible luck, the rotor had broken clean from the axle. This could have sent the van rolling and me to an untimely celebration in heaven.

All things considered, I deduced in my heart that I do not have incredible luck, I serve an even more incredible God. He promised that He’d never leave me or forsake me. He never promised that I wouldn’t get hurt, He just promised that He’d watch my back.

This really made my think about the brevity of life. Mine could have been lost this weekend. What I left behind, would it be meaningless? No, it wouldn’t have. My life has a greater purpose than even I know. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I do know that the Lord is good and that He has always been faithful to me.