Into the Fire

                                    Originally posted on 01/12/07 

Everyone knows that life can be tough. Miserable for some. Horribly treacherous for others. Some of us cannot imagine the existence some people suffer. Sometimes it’s invisible to us, other times it’s blatant.

I think it’s important to say right here, right now, that without Jesus Christ as our Savior, there is no “happy ending”. Those people who are blessed to go through this life with many creature comforts, relatively few episodes of drama and trauma, yet refuse to acknowledge the sacrifice which ensures their eternal life will be even better than the one they’re living, stand to lose it all. The memory of a fortunate life on planet earth will be so distant amidst the torment of their eternal destination that it simply won’t matter nor will it bring any comfort.

Randy Alcorn wrote a based-on-truth novel called Safely Home. It’s not only an eye-opener to the perils of the underground church, it is a soul-wrencher. You cannot read Safely Home without enduring the pain of acknowledging such bravery and wondering, “Would I be able to do the same?” It crushes you while it inspires you. And it reminds you of eternity.

Many people today see nothing but the flaws in the good ol’ USA, its deterioration, its moral decline. But I try to remember everyday to thank my Lord for allowing me the privilege of living in a country who is struggling to survive in a world gone mad. A country that still has a remnant of those who are willing to fight for what is good and right, whether it involves survival or the war against the demonic slaughter of unborn children. Most citizens have their strong issues to champion. Having been to Europe many years ago and visited several countries, appreciating their ancient beauty and unique structures, I can say without reservation the governments of those countries offer nothing in comparison to ours and in spite of the EU, they are in decline more severely, and have been, for much longer than this country.

All of this has been foretold between the pages of the bestseller of all time: the Bible. The long, large book with the happy ending . . . for some. Not most. For the “peculiar people” who acknowledge and live for the One who gave His life that we could all have a “happy ending” after these “light and momentary troubles”.

Although few things wrap up neat and tidy in our lives, if we love Jesus Christ, they will wrap up happy. In the end. When life on earth says farewell and gives way to life which lasts forever.

So, to sum it up, if you’re writing a novel, at least let your readers know at some point there will be a happy ending. Not a perfect life, not a happy-go-lucky life, not a life of luxury and perfection, but for having known the Savior, there will be a reward. Real and eternal. If you doubt that, read the non-fiction bestseller of all time.

Father, thank you for giving us the opportunity to be redeemed, to experience true happiness which alludes us in the lasting sense on planet earth. Born into sin, without hope, doomed to destruction without Jesus Christ and the redemption He provided by sacrificing His life that we might experience a "happy ending". Let me be always faithful. I need more faith, more of you. I need it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.