Can You Tell Me About Jesus? I Want to Go to Heaven

She walked into the room where I was teaching. I immediately noticed her frail frame and her feeble walk as she held on to her cane. She reached her left hand out to grab hold of the church pew as she shuffled her feet towards the place she would eventually sit. She was exhausted. Out of breath. She sips on her water. She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. She reaches for the pew bible and then looks up at me with her tired eyes.

“We are talking about the parable of the lost son in Luke 15” I said. She fumbles her way through the pages of the pew bible until she finds Luke 15. I continued to teach the class until the frail framed woman raises her hand. 

 

She clears her throat and says, “My name is Connie.” I said, “It is nice to meet you Connie.” She continues. “I have never been much on going to church. It has been years since I’ve been to church. I am thirty-five and have one son named Cody. My husband left me a few years ago. As you can tell by the way I walked into your class, I am sick. I have cancer. The doctors say that I might have two months to live. I don’t want to die. I want to see my son grow up. But, the doctors say there is nothing they can do other than make me comfortable. Can you tell me about Jesus? I want to go to heaven.”

 

Holding back my tears I said, “Yes Connie, I will tell you about Jesus!” So, I did. I was teaching the perfect parable for the perfect person to hear it. God’s timing is incredible and a life was changed that day.

Connie lived four months from the time she walked into my class. Her life was changed. She no longer lived in fear. She lived in hope. She experienced peace. She was sad to leave her son, but couldn’t wait to live cancer-free forever. 

 

Connie lived her last four months sharing her story…Jesus’ story! Connie’s parents, Bob and Ann surrendered their life to Jesus, too! Many of Connie’s family and friends began to change and live their life differently…better…Jesus focused. 

 

Jesus wants you to come to him just as you are! It’s doesn’t matter if you’re broken, sickly or have lots of money and healthy. He wants you. He loves you. He doesn’t care if your life is filled with anger, bitterness or hate. Jesus wants you. It doesn’t matter if you have addictions to alcohol, pornography, gambling or drugs, he will open his arms to you and help set your life free. Jesus wants you. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t prayed, read the bible or attended church, he will open his house to you for you to experience a wholesome life. Jesus wants you just as you are. 

 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30

 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

 

Brian