Where IS your Umbrella?
Sometimes when I’m writing, I feel that I am writing something and the Lord isn’t in agreement with it. I know that because I struggle with the words. I type and type then I go back and delete and delete. Eventually, I get it through my thick head that the Lord doesn’t want to say this at this particular time.
So I ‘park’ it. I just save the file with the notion that it will be there later if needed. This is one of those ‘parked’ letters. I was going through and cleaning some things out and I believe the Lord wants you to hear it now.
So here goes. By the way, this would have taken place shortly before the Gatlinburg Fire . . .
In his comments about the Baptist Convention several months ago, Eddie told us about a remark someone had made “If you’re praying for rain, where IS your umbrella?”
Good question. If you’re going to pray for something you should believe God is going to answer you.
I’ve got another one.
Over the past few years there have been more than a few films and books about Heaven. Stories that tell about someone’s journey there and their return back to life here with us. Titles like; Heaven is for Real, Miracles from Heaven, The Color of Heaven and many others. Some are really good stories. The question I have is why do we have such an interest in these stories and films? Why the Bible satisfactory for us? Why do we need more proof?
I’m guilty of it. I’ve seen both those movies. In fact I read the book for the first one as well.
Lately, I have been reading a book called Proof of Heaven – A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife by Eben Alexander, M.D. and a statement the author made in the book bothered me when I read it. Maybe bothered isn’t the right word. Maybe gob-smacked would be more correct.
The basis for this story is that the author had contracted some type of illness and has lapsed into what appears to be a coma for a period of weeks. During this time, he states he journeyed to Heaven. You’ll have to forgive some of the sketchiness of that statement as I haven’t finished reading the story, but back to the statement he made.
To set the scene, the author describes his after-life experiences in Heaven as occurring in three areas; the Realm of the Earthworm, the Gateway and the Core. In order to reach the latter two areas, you must first travel through the first. In his story he had traveled through this first area earlier in his experience, and from there he went on to see portions of Heaven. But for some reason or other, he has returned to this first stage. I would equate it to purgatory or a state of limbo. He isn’t still here on earth, but he’s certainly not in heaven! He dubbed it “the Realm of the Earthworm a soupy, dark, muddy nothingness that had no beginning and, seemingly, no end.”
He goes on to say, and I quote, “Now, however, I knew. I understood that I was part of the Divine and that nothing – absolutely nothing – could ever take that away. The (false) suspicion that we can somehow be separated from God is the root of every form of anxiety in the universe, and the cure for it – which I received partially with the Gateway and completely within the Core – was the knowledge that nothing can tear us from God, ever.”
My interpretation of that statement was that it was a very broad swing at religion itself and also the idea that you can be separated from God’s presence by being cast into hell.
But what my infantile ‘Christian in Training’ brain immediately took up was – Wait a minute! You mean everyone gets to go to heaven? There is no hell and damnation? That sounds a whole lot easier and simpler than being a Christian. So, before I knew it – I was questioning things.
Which brings me to my point. Why am I reading this book? Why are we watching these movies? Where is my faith?
Why don’t I just look to the Bible for the answers to these questions?
I am always so quick to want to walk away from the narrow path that is set before me. We (Christians in Training) are always looking for the easier and more attractive route to our ultimate destination. That’s why we skip Church so much.
Cindy tells me, “Once you take the first step away from God, the second is easier. The third is even easier than that and before long you have fallen away from God completely.”
It takes faith as small as a mustard seed to find Jesus, but I think that if you are not standing firm in your faith that same amount of doubt can steer you away from him as well.
Later the next day, I re-read a now familiar verse again. One you most likely already know well.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV – ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’
Then add the 7th verse:
‘Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil.’
The New Living Translation states this verse with a little more clarity,
‘Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.’
That tells me what I must do. I must resist the temptation to follow the easy road which casts away the teachings of Jesus Christ. I must rely on the Bible and the Word of God to lead me to Heaven on the ‘right’ road.
And by the way, the next time I pray for rain . . . ‘I’ll be sure that I’m carrying my umbrella!’