Pascha Cometh...

I exchanged a couple of emails with my pal, Janell, a few weeks back and we were wondering together about the many people we've known who started out in the Christian race only to find a nice parking spot along the road and pull over and somehow never get going again.

A lot of people start off running a race flat out with every intention of winning. I'll never forget my own less-than-wise experience: I'd been out of town, flown in and crossed two time zones and got to bed late. At the crack of dawn the next morning I was on the race course and it was 80 degrees and about 90% humidity when the starter's gun went off. I bolted like a mad man...at least for me it was a bolt. I was running 5:30 miles and about 100 yards from the finish line I planted my face on the road from heat exhaustion. I didn't finish. I did live but it was an experience I've never forgotten and never repeated.

Yep, that's me in '71

Way back in 1971 when I first got wind of the God who loved me I made a dash for His Kingdom. I'd been hanging around some Eastern Meditation guys and had found myself sitting in a Hinduish-type temple wondering about how life worked when a picture of Jesus caught my eye and catapulted me out of that trap and into the arms of Christ the Lord and Savior. It took a bit of time and some pretty crazy circumstances to get me into the right spot, but in that spot I got and have been chasing after Him who apprehended me over 40 years ago.

By God's infinite grace, long-suffering and patience I continue to pursue Him. Jesus said that once you put your hand to the plow you shouldn't look back. I'll have to confess I've glanced over my shoulder a couple or three times, but mercy prevails and I continue to plow ahead. Really, is there anyone else who has the words of life? I've read stuff that was close...but there's nothing that compares to Jesus, King of kings.

This is just another way of walking--fun, too!

There's also nothing that compares to April 24th, which is approaching and, in case you hadn't noticed, that's Pascha (Easter). For us Orthodox, this is the celebration of all celebrations. It's a time of reflection, repentance, redemption, reconciliation and of course resurrection. I really hope for all of you that your hearts are charged fully and you are patiently and persistently making your way to the finish line, celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus as you go. Can you even imagine how much He loves us?

That's not our house, but it was a great time at a friend's.

As you are on your way, here's some stuff to ponder: The life of the Church encompasses earth and heaven. There is a "cloud of witnesses" gathered around the throne of God who worship Him day and night, triumphant in their faith. They join with us in our worship on earth, or perhaps we are joining with them. Regardless, we are joined with those who have gone ahead, worshiping, celebrating and adoring the Lord Jesus. Their time on earth was short as is ours--we are travelers in this visible, temporal creation because our true home is in heaven. That is why we run the race; that is why we strive to be unglued to the things this world tries to glue us to--not because they are bad but because they are only a means to the end. They sustain us along the Way but they aren't the Way. The apostle Paul reminds us in Scritpure that "our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil 3:20). We may as well live in the country that grants us a lasting and secure home, and in Christ we can do that. If you find yourself parked on the side of the road, metaphorically speaking, enjoying the sights of the Tetons or maybe on Hwy 101 overlooking the Pacific, then you have probably noticed there hasn't been much growth in your spiritual life in spite of the beauty and fun you are having sitting on the side of the road; there isn't that excitement you once had when you got up to spend precious time with the Lord in prayer. Perhaps we've become too comfortable in a world that is only a very dim reflection of the reality which is to come. If that's true, we've settled for way too little in light of what we can have in Christ.

Don't settle for earth. Sure, it's a cool place to be from, but our home is in Christ in heaven. Keep on walking toward our Father; quit reading about the reality of Christ in the newest best-seller and start experiencing Him. Quit running from church to church following the latest fad. Run to the Author and Finisher of our faith. God is waiting for us to join Him, the saints and angels and together cry out, "Holy, holy, holy Lord God almighty. Who was, and is and is to come. To Him be all glory and eternal power." With that song on our lips and His love in our hearts let's keep on walking--parked is not the place to be. He that endures to the end will be saved. And he that doesn't endure...?

The more we point ourselves toward our Father, the more we experience heavenly reality, then the more we will understand that we must continue moving forward to cross the finish line--not do a face plant in the asphalt. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. If you feel like you've got one foot on earth and one in heaven--good for you. We should always be in the process of stepping off the earth and onto our true home and habitat--Heaven.

May the grace and mercy of our Lord keep you, encourage you and propel you along the Way that leads to Him.

Bob and Jackie