7-7-13<\/p>\n
The man was an \u201caverage believer,\u201d or maybe an average non-believer. A lot of people find themselves in spiritual comfort-zones in Post-Christian societies. When we are told that we are born as basically good beings; that sin is a matter of contemporary, and changing, points of view; that \u201cdoing good\u201d should guarantee our place in Heaven (if there is a Heaven); that a loving God (if there is a God) would never send one of His children to hell (if there is a hell); and so forth \u2013 when people are told such things, they easily can resist appeals to repentance. To deal with their problems.<\/p>\n
When churches themselves, over and above the secular media and the community of counselors, hold such ideas, that people can barely navigate the turbulent seas of morality and spirituality is a certainty. And a certainty \u2013 as with this man we visit today \u2013 to be insecure. More: frequently, if privately, terrified.<\/p>\n
He was having a heart-to-heart talk with God. He was not convinced that God existed \u2013 through the years he went back and forth on that issue \u2013 but it seemed to be a good way to organize his thoughts.<\/p>\n
\u201cGod, I read Rob Bell\u2019s book \u2018Love Wins,\u2019 and I liked it. I know it is criticized for being \u2018Universalist,\u2019 arguing that You will keep everyone from hell in the end. Can I confess? I liked it because I thought I found a book that will support my desire to avoid the Hard Questions that You ask. In other words, a loophole.<\/p>\n
He thought he heard God answer, \u201cIt IS My desire that none should perish. But My Son the Messiah said that no one shall come to Me except through Him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The man said, \u201cI know these things; anyway, I have heard them. But this Heaven thing\u2026 I don\u2019t know if it exists. Or if it so important. And hell? Sometimes it\u2019s like I\u2019ve already been through hell here on earth. Why is this so important?\u201d He grew agitated. \u201cI once heard Rob Bell speak and he criticized that old hymn I used to love, \u2018I\u2019ll Fly Away,\u2019 and he said he wishes he could rip it out of every songbook.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued; \u201cRob Bell said that we shouldn\u2019t wish for Heaven \u2013 we have work to do here on earth. That people who desire Heaven so much are missing the point of being Christ-followers.\u201d<\/p>\n
He thought he heard God say, \u201cIt is good to hope. Some people cannot identify with the meek and the suffering who seek release. It is well that my Children keep their eyes on Heaven; seek first the Kingdom of God.\u201d <\/p>\n
The man felt confused. Does desiring Heaven imply that we should be eager to die? And how much do we do to earn Heaven? \u201cBy grace you are saved, not by works,\u201d he heard God say.<\/p>\n
He sensed God challenging him, even as he doubled down on his skepticism.<\/p>\n
God said: \u201cI have sent a Perfect example to guide you through life, to Heaven.\u201d<\/p>\n
The man said: \u201cPerfect? Jesus was arrested, thrown in prison, and executed like a criminal.\u201d<\/p>\n
God said: \u201cLook, I have made it such that a strong, loving hand will take yours.\u201d<\/p>\n
The man said: \u201cThat hand? It is bloody, and has a hole in it.\u201d<\/p>\n
God said: \u201cThe fullness of the Godhead is in this Guide I have sent you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The man said: \u201cI know all the verses, God, but, still, if Jesus \u2018died for me,\u2019 why am I still unhappy? Why is there still injustice in the world? Why the sickness, cruelty, hunger? Why should I think about some far-away Heaven?\u201d<\/p>\n
For a while he didn\u2019t hear the voice he thought was God\u2019s. Had it all been a dream? Surely He hadn\u2019t stumped the Creator of the Universe!<\/p>\n
Presently he thought he heard the same, warm voice as before: \u201cThere are already multitudes of angels who know not sin nor sorrow; but neither do they know the joy of overcoming\u2026 of salvation. You are not an angel; you are more precious to Me. My children, like you, will be touched by pain and sorrow \u2013 that \u201cvale of tears\u201d \u2013 because there IS sin in the world. But, accepting My salvation, you can know joy unspeakable in this life. And thereby know that there is a mansion in Heaven, awaiting you.\u201d<\/p>\n
And, \u201cThis world’s people once knew Me as so holy as to be unapproachable. Works, sacrifice, rituals \u2013 humankind tried it all. I wanted My children to know Me through a humbler manifestation. A poor baby, born to despised parents, living as a man, then as a servant and teacher; a healer; a Savior; finally a resurrected and risen Incarnation. If you cannot understand My holy will through this, if you cannot reconcile your duty on earth and your hope of Heaven\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The man thought the voice trailed off. But he understood things differently. He would walk, and work, and believe, and serve, and be obedient, because he sensed the presence of Guide who would assure him that one day he might \u201cfly away,\u201d but in the meantime \u2013 through this \u201cvale of tears\u201d \u2013 that Guide would be saying, \u201cHome: Come on home!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHome, come on home. Ye who are weary, come home.\u201d Sometimes when I’m feeling lonesome, And no one on earth seems to care, I try to keep it together, I never let on that I’m scared, \u201cHome, come on home. Ye who are weary, come home.\u201d + + +<\/p>\n Today\u2019s musical clip is not \u201cI\u2019ll Fly Away,\u201d nor even the familiar \u201cSoftly and Tenderly, Jesus Is calling,\u201d but the beautiful contemporary song \u201cTenderly Calling,\u201d quoted in the blog essay. It was a song from John Denver\u2019s next-to-last album. The graphics are by the eternally amazing Beanscot.<\/p>\n
\nSoftly and tenderly calling, \u201cHome, come on home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nI’m all by myself in the darkness With no one and nothing to share.
\nJust when it feels like it\u2019s hopeless, And I’ll never make it alone,
\nI hear the voices of angels, Tenderly calling me home. <\/p>\n
\nStill sometimes I fall to pieces, Scattered and lost everywhere.
\nJust when it feels like there\u2019s no one To mend all my broken-down dreams,
\nI hear a voice deep inside me, Tenderly calling to me:<\/p>\n
\nSoftly and tenderly calling, \u201cHome, come on home.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n