« February 22, 2007 | March 1, 2007 | March 1, 2007 »

Pastor's Page

Posted on March 1, 2007 ...

During my school days, I found that much of my success (or failure) in an examination hinged on my ability to predict the questions the instructor would include on the test. If my foresight was accurate and if I then studied adequately, the results were usually favorable. Some teachers (God bless them) gave great assistance in this quest by supplying Study Questions to aid in preparation.
Personally, I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m a big believer in preparation. I am much more confident and comfortable when I have answers ready and at hand. In communicating church news, I respect the value of anticipating people?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s inquiries about a matter and supplying the answers even before the questions are posed.
Of course, a consequence of this approach is that I sometimes find I have invested time and energy developing answers to questions that I am never actually asked. Most of what I studied DID NOT show up on my examinations. And in my church work, I may find I supplied answers to questions no one was asking!
I wonder how much investment we make wrestling with questions we will never need to answer. I recently came across this list featuring questions God WILL NOT ask on the day you meet Him. Perhaps you will find them thought provoking, too.

1. God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove that didn't have transportation.
2. God won't ask the square footage of your house. He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3. God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet. He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
4. God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5. God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6. God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
7. God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived. He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
8. God won't ask about the color of your skin. He'll ask about the content of your character.
9. God won't ask why it took you so long to seek salvation. He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven.

I pray God will help us all deal with the right questions in life. Jay