MY BLOG POSTS

Does it ever make you uncomfortable believing there’s just one way to know God? It makes me uncomfortable sometimes.  I’m a people pleaser. I want everyone to be happy. I really want everyone to like me. I hate knowing people are annoyed with me or think I am intolerant or narrow-minded.

I’ve had to wrestle through this several times in my  Christian life. I have gone back to the Bible to make sure I didn’t miss something. Maybe God isn’t really saying Jesus is the only way. It does seem awfully rigid, doesn’t it? So I study again and, yep, there it is: Jesus is the only way to heaven.

So am I narrow-minded?

Only if what I believe is purely opinion. Like when I say ”Costa Rican coffee is the best coffee in the world.” You can choose to believe something else. I know that’s my opinion. But I think I’m right. I mean, have you ever tried Costa Rican coffee? It makes Folgers taste like…well, Folgers.

 

But what if I were to say,”Costa Rica is in Central America”? Could you disagree? Sure you could. You could yell at me and tell me Costa Rica is actually in Europe. You could really believe that. You could do your best to convince others that I am wrong and narrow-minded in my belief that Costa Rica is a Central American country. But that wouldn’t change the facts.

And the fact is, Jesus is the only way to heaven. People can argue that’s not true. And many do. And those people are smart, they do good things; I know many non-Christians who are far nicer than many Christians I have known. This isn’t about who is the “best.” It’s about facts. True and false.

But don’t take my word for it.  Check it out for yourself. Pick up the Bible. The book of John is a great place to start. See what Jesus says about himself. Things like, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes unto the Father except by me.” (John 14:6)

So I’m labeled narrow-minded. Big deal. I’ll add it to the list of names I’ve been called in my life. And I’ll ignore those names in light of what God calls me…

Beloved.

Somehow, everything else just pales in comparison.

Every year, our church has a Christmas Presentation. They are always incredibly impressive and they always display the Christmas story and a gospel message that is both breathtaking and grand. I got to be part of the behind-the-scenes crew for this year’s production, and I am even more in awe of all the work that goes into making this come to life.

Work begins in January as the set is designed and the script ideas start flowing in. As the year progresses, the technical crew comes on board to discuss lighting and sound, special effects and other details that are way over my head. Then, as the script and set are finalized, the costumes and props are made, and the rights to the music are secured. Dozens of people are required to bring this Presentation to life – and that’s before the massive orchestra and adult and youth choirs begin to learn the music they’ll perform and before the players are cast and the extras are assigned. That bumps the number well into the hundreds. And every one of those people are important, necessary.

As I was sitting last night, watching all of this come together, I was reminded of the Body of Christ. I Corinthians 12 tells us we are many parts but one body. And every part is important, necessary. God has given all believers gifts to be used to build up the body, to help others. Just like the Christmas Production would fall apart if there were no sound or costumes, lights or orchestra, the body of Christ would fall apart without teachers and helpers, without merciful people comforting the hurting and generous people giving to others. Everyone is important – YOU are important. And God has given you a job to do. Don’t miss out on that job and the joy that comes from using the gifts God has given you.

“The Wizard of Oz” has been my favorite film forever. Judy Garland has been my favorite actress forever. I grew up doing a lot of plays, partly because I wanted to be the next Judy Garland! So the one role I wanted more than any other was Dorothy.

Finally, my sophomore year of high school, a theater in a neighboring town announced “The Wizard of Oz” was on their schedule.  I was 16 – the same age as Judy Garland when she filmed the movie. It was meant to be!

I prepared the audition of my life and (drum roll) I got the part!! You can imagine my excitement. Or maybe you can’t. It was my life-long dream come true. The role my favorite actress played in my favorite movie of all time. The role I had dreamed about for at least a decade. The role I barely got because I was too old and couldn’t dance and drove the director crazy (imagine that!).

Now, this wasn’t a professional theater, it wasn’t a big-budget production, no talent scouts were there. I didn’t actually sound like Judy Garland. There weren’t even flying monkeys. But did I care? NO! This was my dream. I would have done that play in my back yard with my siblings cast as the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion (and I would have, had this not worked out!).

I went into every rehearsal thrilled to be there. I enjoyed every minute of that show, from the first rehearsal to the final curtain call. I savored it, relished it, loved it. It was wonderful! And even now, 22 years later, thinking of it still makes me happy…

I was thinking of that today, and I was convicted because I realized I should treat every day the way I treated those days. I should look forward to what’s in store, I should ignore the bad, refuse to be brought down by the petty.  God has given me one life. And he has redeemed that one life through His son. He has made plans for me, he has sent his Holy Spirit to teach, comfort, and direct me. That is SO much more exciting than getting that dream role. Yet, I allow days to go by when I choose not to see the good things He has given.

I need to remember that, if I could be “over the rainbow” about a part in a play, I should be over the moon about the life God has given me! So I will choose to enjoy today, to rejoice in it, to savor it, relish it, and be glad!