SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2008

THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

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Dear Friends in Our Lord Jesus:

In a wonderful little booklet called THE GREAT DIVORCE, C.S. Lewis tells the disturbing story of a group of people from hell who are allowed to board a bus to heaven.

Their journey is not a long one. And it ends on the outskirts of heaven, where several heavenly residents are waiting to walk with them the last several miles into the beautiful city.

Strangely, many refuse to go into heaven.

Some refuse to venture away from the celestial bus stop because they would have to give up something from hell that had become important in their lives. One refuses to go into heaven because his guide is a convicted criminal whom he cannot forgive. Another refuses to give up his discussion group in hell that argues about religion and morals but resists any practical applications. Another man refuses to give up his well-developed cynicism and bad attitude. And a woman refuses to surrender her need to control others in order to have a relationship.

All of them cling to whatever is keeping them out of heaven because they have grown dependent on their problems. They WANT to be included in heaven, but not at the price required. In Lewis’ great little book, buses leave from hell to heaven every half hour. But most of them are empty.

The Lord Jesus came that we might find liberation, forgiveness, fulfillment, and salvation in Him. He offers all of those things -- plus eternal life in God’s kingdom -- as a free gift. But we, in turn, must give to Him all we have: Our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits. He gave us all He has, and He wants the same from us.

-- The Very Rev. Dr. Steve Sellers +