Mike's Musings: Who gets into Heaven?
Greetings to everyone.
Well, here we are again with another round of the guessing game "What
season is it?". We have had hot, cool, and moderate temperatures in the
past few weeks. The rainfall has been just as uncertain depending on where
you are in Kay County. When it comes to seasons, you would think we would
just move along and not give much thought to the conditions, but most of
us don't. We like to cuss and discuss why the weather is such and such.
We like to conjure up answers that make us feel better about not being able
to control the weather. The real question is who are we really fooling? Dare
we think we have the ability and power to bring the weather under our
control and then get upset when we realize we can't do anything about it?
Control is one of things people like to think they have mastered.
Have you ever known someone that thought they were in control of the world
around them, or that nothing can upset their plans for the future? It is
laughable that there are people who think everything is working out for
them just like they planned it.
The other side of the coin finds people
who feel that their world has caved in on them and nothing will ever get
better. To both of these groups of people I would offer advise that says
not to get so set in your ways that you miss opportunities that might come
your way.
In the Bible, Mark chapter 10 reveals some truths that are as timely
today as they were when Jesus walked the earth. One of the people
mentioned in this set of verses was wealthy man. It seemed he had everything going
his way.
He asked Jesus what he needed to do to gain eternal life. Jesus
told him to sell all of his worldly goods and follow Him(Jesus). The Bible
tells us that the man was saddened because he was wealthy and didn't want
to give up his possessions. So he didn't. It was an example of how you
think you're in charge but really your not. As we all know, the man
couldn't take it with him when he died.
Another story in Mark chapter 10 tells about a blind beggar named
Bartimaeus who was blind. When Jesus was in Jericho he crossed paths with
Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus called out to Jesus but the people surrounding him
told him to be quiet. They felt Bartimaeus, being handicapped and poor,
had no right to call to Jesus. But they were wrong. Jesus heard the cry from
the crowd and asked who it was and what he wanted. Based upon faith,
Bartimaeus told Jesus he wanted to see. After he was healed, the story
tells us that Bartimaeus followed Jesus.
So here we have two different men in two different situations, one
is rich and one is poor. There are other differences besides wealth and
poverty, but if you think this is about possessions and money, your wrong.
Yes the Bible points out that most people will value their "things" over
eternal life, but just because someone is poor doesn't make them
automatically qualify for Heaven. It all is dependent on what is most valuable in
our lives.
As long as serving Jesus as your Lord and Savior is your number
one focus then your priorities are correct.
There is another point that needs to be touched on and that is DON"T
GIVE UP! Unlike blind Bartimaeus, many people have decided that things
around them will never get better. They don't know which way to turn or
quick way to go. They feel that life has defeated them and they are doomed
to never know a better life. Bartimaeus could have easily been like that,
but he wasn't. He could of felt sorry for himself and stayed a blind
beggar with no hope. Fortunately he didn't. He had heard about Jesus and believed
that Jesus had the power to make things better, to give him sight, and so
it was.
Jesus has that same power and ability to give us hope for better
things in our lives. The scriptures tell us that God is the same today,
yesterday, and tomorrow. That indicates to me that even though we think we
are very different from our ancestors, in reality we are not. Yes in many
ways our world and our surroundings are different, but our needs are not.
We need the basics to sustain life and we need our Jesus to walk with us
and help us through the issues we deal with. He helped Bartimaeus and he
will help us if we have the faith to call on him.
If you don't know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, ask him to
come into your heart, forgive you of your sins, and accept him as the One
who will grant you eternal life. If you have already accepted Jesus as
your Lord and Savior, then don't give up when your in need. Continue to call on
his name, never giving up. He loves you and me. Peace and grace to all.
Please support The Blackwell Journal-Tribune by subscribing today!