In the last few years, when I hear that someone has died –
anyone -- old, young, tragic or expected – I automatically think, “I wonder if
they knew Jesus?” or “I HOPE they knew Jesus!”
That was the case yesterday when I heard that a colleague of
Brian’s died in a plane crash. The man was piloting a plane for he and his
daughter (a twin) – coming home from a Fall break vacation. I had three thoughts that went through
my mind so fast!
The first took my breath away – thinking of the wife and
other twin son that are left behind to figure out how to live life without
their other halves. In an instant,
our lives can be upended. We think we have a routine or some idea of how today
or tomorrow might go and then BAM!!!! A new normal. Nothing’s EVER the same.
Pray for those terribly heartbroken souls! Pray hard.
My second thought was like I suggested: I wonder if they
knew Jesus? Because, the reality is this: if they did, they are dancing in His
presence as I write this. And I believe the Bible when it says – there is no
more sorrow, no more pain, no more tears and they won’t even need the sun
because Jesus will shine more brightly than we can imagine! What a sight.
Here’s my third thought that threw me in a tailspin: when am I going to move that
eternity-changing question to the front of my conversations with people?
“Hi! My name is Kristin. Do you know my friend, Jesus? If
you don’t, would you let me tell you about Him?”
Now, by this time, I’ve lost ¾ of you. I’m afraid some
Christians (and probably me many times) have given Jesus a bad name. I lose my
cool. I judge. I compare. I even swear sometimes. (Please don’t tell my
mother.) I gossip. I jump to conclusions. I’m so selfish, it’s a wonder there’s
room to breathe in my house sometimes.
But see, my friend Jesus, is NONE of those things! I screw up a lot!!! But Jesus does not.
He loved me so much (even in my most dirtbag moments) that
he gave everything SO THAT I could
live with him forever. If you’re waiting for the God of the Bible to judge you,
to punish you, to shake his finger at you – then you’ve gotten a skewed version
of His story. And I’m so , so sorry if I was part of that bad retelling.
I’ve got to tell you. I have two sons whom I adore as much
as a human could adore another thing. And I WOULD NEVER LET YOU HAVE THEM!!! But, this Jesus…he willingly obeyed his
Daddy to save me. To save them. To save you. SO THAT – we could live with Him
forever. All of us. Forever.
I know there are a LOT of religions in the world. And I
respect so much those who are trying to find their way. But how many of them
have a God who gave their only son to take our many, many failings and redeem
them into a beautiful life of sacrifice and service and LOVE – above all, love?
Christianity actually repulses some. And I really get it. I heard some stories from some Jesus-followers that make me want to turn another way. But I believe they had the wrong story teller. Jesus is a God of compassion and
grace and forgiveness and love – above all, love. If you’ve never heard THAT
part of the story…
Hi. My name is Kristin. Can I take a few minutes and tell
you about my friend, Jesus?
