January 13, 2014
One-Way Ticket
A Utah man, who is one of 1,058 applicants, is
one step closer to getting a one-way ticket to Mars. The proposed flight is
more than a decade off, but if chosen he would be leaving behind his wife and
four young children; the youngest of which is now only six months old. The man admits
to being, “kind of selfish”, which at first blush is a good assessment. Surprisingly,
the wife is trying to be supportive. However, she feels rejected and has
considered divorce so that she can go on and make a life for herself and the
children. This scenario does give me pause when I consider that believers also hold
a one-way ticket which was purchased for us by the blood of Christ. It’s
curious that the loved ones we will be leaving behind don’t seem at all
concerned. No one knows the day or the hour when Jesus will return, but He says
we are to plan ahead and keep watch, “Two men will be in the field; one will be
taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a
hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” (Matt 24:40-41 NIV)
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1 comment:
Gail;
-----There’s always something more fundamental. At least there is from our human viewpoint. This man will be a pioneer! A Christopher Columbus! Oops. (He’s not so admired anymore.) Well, a Charles Darwin, then. At any rate, he’s going to get to wear the big britches, finally! His wife should be proud.
-----Of what? Of a man who joined flesh with another human being to make four entirely unique perspectives of life and eternity, each of whom is as deep as the universe and infinitely more loved by the most Wonderful and mightiest of Almighty, each of whom he can just turn off and leave? Maybe she could be proud of a man who promised to be at her side till death did them apart. Maybe he’s planning on her putting on so much weight her side will reach Mars. I hope he doesn’t hold his breath.
-----There’s this big idea running around the little minds of the world about how mother earth only has several thousand years to a few million or more of life support for mankind. We need to find our way off her - FAST! People are looking to be heroes. And heroes must break all of the commitments of their lives to save stuff. That’s part of the tragedy which makes them heroes, wouldn‘t you know.
-----Every close relationship formed with another person does bear a degree of commitment. Some degrees are only emotional, and not too deep. Others are very deep, and some involve actually caring for others provisionally or in service. Whenever another human being has shifted the source of something in his life from one place to you, you have acquired commitment. It might really be so small as that of informing this person that you can not be his resource (if honestly, by God - and I don’t say that in the slang sense - you cannot,) and why. And telling the “why” is so important. First, the "why" is God’s expectation of you, the best you can understand it, anyway, about you and the facts of the realities which He’s dealt you. Second, when God calls a hero to the breaking of commitments it isn’t anything against the losers. They might feel like losers. They must know they are not (when they are not, other times…well…you know.)
-----So, too, Jesus broke a lot of commitments to die on the cross. Jesus’ disciples had big plans for Him. They were forward thinking into a Judea freed of Roman control, reigned by Jesus and them, never hungry again, every sick person being healed, every dead person being raised. Oh, boy! Besides, they never heard anyone like this before. Every time He opened His mouth He was saying something simpler than they’d ever heard making more sense than they’d ever thought. So He began telling them of this "breach of committment" weeks before His heroic moment. He was not going to be this kind of physically present, miraculous supporter. And why was He willing to disappoint? Innumerable souls would be sealed unto eternal joy by His heroic deed. Wow! OK. That one was worth it.
-----This lonely soul on Mars? What heroic elevation hath he wrought for mankind? Another thought suctioning to the great body of human deceit like a barnacle to the Titanic? For what doth his dearly beloved and four little ones brave losing him? Mankind’s safety dream destined to strike the face of reality like a gnat on a windshield?
-----Yes, God sometimes calls one away from commitments, but when He does, it’s purpose is told not in the dreamy imaginations of arrogant fools, but in the wisdom of the Word of God as read by any eye to see.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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