The Guest List (pt.3)

On Sunday Tim provoked some thought about how eager we are for heaven. He asked us what we hope to do or see or experience before we die. When put in the light of what is awaiting us, these desires pale in comparison, but because our faith is in something unseen, we often put too much importance on what is seen - life on this earth.

Tim asked us to fill in the blanks. For me to live is ______________. Thankfully, by God's grace, my heart's overall desire and experience is indeed Christ. But there is at times a competing desire: my agenda.

Last week a brother in the church wanted to encourage me by telling me he had observed me in BJs. I was a woman on a mission getting my work done. There was no meandering; only purposeful purchasing. It was true. But what he meant to be an encouragement was actually a stab to my conscience. Because I know too well that I can be so intent on my schedule, my "to-do" list, I do not take the opportunity to see people and their needs. I shield myself from stepping toward strangers with the love of Christ with my busyness. At those moments Life=My agenda.

And then, yesterday when I was in Pathmark I was caught in a painfully slow checkout line. There it was: an opportunity to slow down, die to my self, live for Christ and speak to the woman ahead of me with something more than a shared complaint about the slow service. I failed. I denied Christ. I could defend myself by saying that I was praying for certain ones (and I was), I could say I was serving Christ by serving my family (I was), but while I was in line I was conscious of my need to share a loving word of Hope to this woman and I chose not to. "Lord, forgive me."

So, how would I answer Tim's question about what I want to do before I die? I guess I'd have to say, I just want to be comfortable in my own little world, with my own little plans. Even as I type this I am so ashamed of how easily I deny the cross. I might say I'd rather go to heaven than live long enough to see my grandchildren married, or I'd rather go to heaven than retire and travel the globe. How much easier that would be than to "die" in the supermarket today.

I am so thankful for my friends who didn't cling to this life. They didn't make little compromises so when the big test of their faith came they didn't flinch in the least. They didn't cling to hopes of long life, marriage, family. Death was all gain for them.

Today, I want to tell you about Mrs. John Brown (Isabel).

At her wedding a good friend of her husband, Alexander Peden told her, "Ye have a good man to be your husband, but ye will not enjoy him long. Prize his company, and keep linen by you to be his winding sheet (burial sheet), for ye will need it when ye are not looking for it, and it will be a bloody one."

When troops arrived at the Brown's door later that year John turned to his wife and said, "Now, Isabel, the day is come."

She replied, "John, I can willingly part with you."

"That is all I desire," he said. "I have no more to do but die." He kissed her and his child, saying he wished gospel-promise blessings to be multiplied upon them.

The six soldiers ordered to shoot Brown were apparently so moved by the scene and its disregard for law, that they lowered their muskets and refused to fire. Their officer placed his own pistol at Brown's head and ended his life, just outside his cottage.

Isabel Brown set her child on the ground, took her linen, and wrapped her husband's body. She mourned alone until neighbors, told of the murder gathered to support her. Foxe's Book of Martyrs

"Oh Lord, may I prize You above all else today. May I prize You more than my comfort, and my schedule. May I never more be hesitant or ashamed to speak Your name wherever I am. Help me to live and die for you in the supermarket and keep me faithful to the end." Amen.