“Don’t worry about earthy troubles; look forward to the joys
of heaven. ~ 2 Corinthians4:18
As weeks turned into months, the
twins continued to grow in their mother’s womb, noticing changes in themselves
and each other. Imagine for a moment their
anxiety; fear of an unknown, maybe even the end of their continued existence.
“What a beautiful life we have here; so cozy and peaceful,”
said #1. “We have all the water, food,
and oxygen we need. Our womb keeps us
safe from noise, light, and pressure.
Best of all – we have each other.
Nothing could ever be better than this world.”
But #2 disagreed. “There
must be something more than this dark place; some place where there’s light and
freedom to move.” After a brief silence,
#2 continued. “You won’t believe this
either, but I think there is a mother!”
“I feel this pressure sometimes,” replied #2. “I think it’s preparing us for another place,
one much more beautiful where we’ll see our Mother face to face! Don’t you think that’s exciting?”
A troubling chill crept over #1. "Were it up to me, I’d live here
forever.”
#2 reacted ardently.
“I believe there’s life after birth.
We should enjoy the time we have left in this beautiful place, and when
our time comes to leave, we should be ready.”
“NO!" shouted #1.
“If our purpose inside the womb ends at birth, then our life is pointless."
Clutching the precious life cord to his
chest, #1 cried, "And if that’s true, then there can really be no mother!"
"There is
a mother," protested #2. "Who
else gave us nourishment? Who else
created this world for us and protects us from harm?"
"We get our nourishment from this cord,” #1
interrupted. “If there is a mother -
where is she? Have you ever seen her?
Does she ever talk to you?
No! You’re delusional."
Thus, while #1 ranted hopelessly, #2 placed his trust in the
hands of his Mother.
Soon it was time. Their
birth was at hand, and they both feared what they didn’t know.
They screamed at the light’s intensity. Coughing out fluid they gulped dry air. When they were sure they’d been born, they
opened their eyes grasping life after birth for the first time. They gazed into their Mother’s adoring eyes as
she cradled them in her loving arms. They
were home.
Just a Jesus promised.
He came so that we would look beyond the present life and prepare
ourselves for eternal life with God. Our
time on earth is only temporary, and while frightening at times, is but
preparation for our time in heaven.
Dear Lord, the brokenness of this world weighs
me down at times – it sickness, depravity and injustice. Help me think like an ambassador, a
representative from heaven serving in this alien land to serve as many people
as I can. Amen
