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by Buzz Dahlen When it comes to cats, I can take them or leave them, literally. Personally, I was not all that excited about bringing the family cat along on our move, but the girls wanted her with them. When we were taking the bulk of our stuff, we looked and looked for that cat but could not find her. The thought was that she would be around when I came back and I would bring her with me. Well, I have a witness that will testify that I tried. I had that cat in the rig for at least 60 seconds, but she did not understand that what I was trying to do was for her best… So, I had to leave without her. The girls really love that cat and they have prepared a place for her in our new home. The challenge is getting her over here. Well as I thought about the cat situation, it came to mind that God has a similar challenge with us. Jesus came to earth, simply put, to pack us up and take us home. God wanted everyone to come along with Him on this move, but many just do not understand that it is for their best. I promise you, I did everything that I possible could to get that cat over here. I even made a space in the rig, a comfortable space in a basket, but she would have nothing to do with it. So, I had to leave… Jesus told His disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3 There is a place prepared for everyone, but not everyone will be there because many do not want to get in the rig. They do not want to take the ride, they think it will be too restrictive and they want to be free. Or, they like it right where they are, this is the place they know, the place they can see, it is hard to believe there could be a better place. Jesus went on to say: “You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:4-6 There is only one way for that cat to get to our home and the place we have prepared for her, that way is to get into the rig. There is only one way for mankind to get to heaven and the place that God has prepared for us, that is in Jesus Christ. Both take faith; too often, we are like that cat… This is where the cat story ends and your story picks up. God loves you and wants you to spend eternity with Him, in heaven. He has a place prepared for you, and all you have to do is have faith in Jesus Christ, put your trust in Him and you will see that place. Paul wrote: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:1-9 Do not be like the cat, accept God’s gracious gift of salvation, and accept your ride to your new home. Your life may seem better just the way it is, but really, there is no comparison. It is a better life where God is and He has prepared a place for you. |
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