Aug 06

Reality is absolute. It is absolute because it proceeds from God who is absolute. No matter what we think or say about it, reality has the final say. We may make all kinds of mental projections of power over reality, including the reality of death, but, in the end we find that reality, especially the reality of death, is stronger than all that we say or do. God's Word is exalted above all else. And that word says that we must die for our sins (Ezekiel 18:20).

But Scripture also says that, if we want to, we can live forever (Revelation 22:17). The very Word that condemns us to death also holds out the promise for eternal life. If we want to.

If we want to? Who wouldn't want to live forever? You might be surprised.

There once was published a science-fiction story in which a space traveler crash-landed on an isolated asteroid far out in the depths of space. He was marooned there for ever, cut off from all other human beings and condemned to spend the rest of his life in complete isolation.

Unable to face such a bleak prospect, he decided to end his life. Standard issue for all such space travelers was an emergency kit which contained two vials of liquid. When one was ingested it would enable that person to live forever (remember, this is science-fiction). When the other one was taken, he would die.

Having reached the end of his own internal resources to provide a meaningful life and unable to cope with the terrible loneliness of life alone on an empty wasteland of rock in the blackness of space, he chose to end his life by drinking the vial of poison.

A few moments after drinking the liquid and nothing taking place, he began to wonder why it wasn't working; he wasn't dying at all. A terrible suspicion crept into his mind and he slowly raised the small container into the dim light so that he could read the labels. To his utter horror, he discovered that in the darkness and in the confusion of his mind, he had drunk the wrong vial! He would not die but now was forced to live forever in a meaningless, empty life, isolated from all contact with other human beings: alone for ever!

Eternal life in itself is a curse, not a blessing. It becomes a blessing only when He who is Life, Jesus, makes life worth living.

Scripture for today: 1 Kings 19:1-4; Jonah 4
Thought for today: Life is not life worth living without the Lord.
Prayer for today: Lord, I rejoice that you have made my life worth living, and I look forward with joy to living it in eternity with you.

AUG 06