A Jump Start

I used jumper cables Tuesday (as in, I didn't just hand them to someone and watch; I actually did the clamping and such). And thanks to the good people who post accurate information on Google, it worked. Of course for the dead battery to come back to life (anyone else just hear Hank Azaria from Night in the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian?); some essential things must occur. Obviously, jumper cables and a battery with juice to spare are needed. Also important is a specific sequence of matching, clamping, and grounding. A good jump start sparks life back into a drained battery.

The other day, my soul battery received a spark as I read a post my incredibly gifted friend, Lynn, wrote about being all in. Before going back to life away from screens, you really should read it for yourself. It's had me thinking; and this morning, several thoughts I've been mulling over in the past months piggybacked on each other and screamed for my attention.

This quarter, I have the wonderful opportunity of revisiting a Bible Study about Heaven I took exactly 5 years ago from another incredibly gifted friend, Suzanne. I'd never had much fear of dying (though there are certainly ways I'd prefer not to go out!) However before that study, my belief in Heaven had little effect on the way I approached life. Over the course of learning more about Heaven, and through many other events, God changed my understanding as well as many of my goals for life here on earth. He even used some novels by Randy Alcorn to increase my excitement about and anticipation of Heaven.

Since the study in 2007, I've remained eager for Heaven; but I've noticed my enthusiasm about the Earth part has waned over time. Not that I dread my everyday life (well, sometimes I do), but my attitude has weighed heavier on "let's get this thing over with and get to the really good stuff!" The past several months, I've been convicted of my lack of cooperation with the training and preparation God has for me in the here and now. I've been reminded He wants me to be "all in" while doing life on this planet.

If you happen to be unfamiliar with me or my theology, you may be wondering what I am talking about. The full answer would require many more words than I can allot for this particular post. In short, I am a Christ follower who constantly messes up and will never outweigh my "bad" with my "good" on my own, but I firmly believe that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross graciously allows me to spend forever in His presence. In that forever Heaven, I will experience the absolute joy of serving, studying, and worshiping the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit together with Christ-followers from every people group. Woohoo!

My prayer is that as I spend time at Jesus' feet, listening to His teaching in the Word and processing anew the truths of Heaven and the purposes of life here, I will be encouraged to press on with excitement and joy as I race on Earth toward the finish line and prize in glory (Philippians 3:14).

What about you? Do you anticipate Heaven and does it affect the way you live in the here and now? Is there a verse God has used along your journey? Does your soul battery have juice to spare or could you use a spark? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Thank you to Lynn and Suzanne, willing cables the Lord has used (along with many others) to jump start my battery. If you'd like to read Lynn's post (and more of her wonderful writing), you can do so here: All in...All the time. If you are near the Athens-Oconee area, you aren't too late to join in on Suzanne's fascinating study on Heaven.