The Most Important Thing

Writers love writing. We’re bound in a strange romance with the written word that nearly defies description. It’s a kind of longing, a part of us deep within, simmering until finally, the overwhelming urge to write finds its way to the surface and never lets go. We must write.

Naturally, as one of those afflicted with this strange love, I’ve written a lot of stuff. Silly stuff, pointless stuff, dumb stuff and maybe even some informative, interesting, or inspiring stuff. But, the fact is, I’ve written a lot of stuff and will, no doubt, continue to.  So, as I prepared to write recently, I asked myself what exactly is the most important thing I could write?  If my writing days were numbered or I was given one last word count to meet – what would I write?

It is this:

Jesus Christ is Lord of all. I know this without a doubt. I know there is no more important fact to consider and embrace. I know it firsthand; by the way Jesus changed my own life. I know this because he continues to answer my prayers and direct my days. I know it by the peace and strength he’s given me in the most undesirable circumstances I’ve known, the deaths of my children and grandchildren. I know it by the changes I’ve witnessed in other’s lives when they, too, concluded Jesus Christ is Lord of all. I’ve witnessed the miracle of freedom and transformation from addiction, depravity, depression, and disease, by no other means than a heart fully surrendered to Jesus. I’ve experienced the joyful, weepingly wonderful change that must be celebrated because someone surrendered their life to Jesus and became a new creation in him.

I’m aware there are many who find the idea absurd; some of my friends and loved ones among them. Oh, how I long for them to grasp this most important thing while there is still time. So, I think again, maybe I’ll write about it…  But, then, what can I possibly write that hasn’t already been written – and by someone far more brilliant and articulate than me?    

Preservation, Prophecy and Purpose

Perhaps I could entreat them to open the Old Testament and consider how unlikely it is that a text of its antiquity could be so accurately preserved since 300 or 400 BCE (or BC, as I prefer). Maybe I could ask them to consider how the entire Bible, written across so many centuries, by forty or more authors doesn’t contradict itself and continues to speak into and change lives simply by reading its message. Maybe I could ask them to more seriously consider how the writers foretold so many details of Jesus’s birth, life, and death, as the coming Messiah, centuries before he was born. It is an incredible manuscript; one that speaks directly to the mind and heart. That is, if one really reads it.

I could write about Jesus’ s remarkable life. How this teacher who claimed to be God, was born, died and came to life again! How he appeared to hundreds of people after his resurrection. Or about the extrabiblical historical documents that recorded these events. But I guess that too, has already been written about. A lot.

I consider writing about the afterlife. I know many believe everyone goes to a happy heavenly place when we die, regardless of what their life was like-unless maybe they’re a serial killer or something. And others believe this life is all there is. They live for the now, expecting nothing more than to turn to dust when this life ends. I could explain that scripture talks about an afterlife for us in either heaven or hell. That, according to Jesus’s teaching, we choose our eternal destiny by what we believe about him. He said if we die without a relationship with him as our Savior we’ll spend eternity in hell. Referring to himself as our Savior sent by God, he said, “That is why I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24 ESV) And, when speaking of eternity in heaven, he said, “Truly, truly, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgement but has passed from death to life.”  (John 5:24 ESV)  

Maybe I could remind people that there will be a day when we have no breath left. Today, my husband learned about an old friend of his who recently died in a car accident, with his brother and mother. No more breath. Three destinies sealed. Or I could write about how choosing to follow Jesus shapes the very quality and purpose of our lives while we do have breath. Because, knowing Jesus is Lord of all is both life changing and eternity altering.

Then I stop and think about how all of this, every bit of it, has all been written and expounded upon before. Innumerable times. Throughout history this message from God to humankind has been repeated and recorded. It has endured, etched on stone and wooden tablets, written on animal skins, papyrus, paper, and websites.  

This story of Jesus’s life, this great love he has for us and his desire that no one should perish-it has all been written before. Because it is the most important thing. Still, thoughts of the immeasurable number of times and ways this message has been written lingers. I consider how many generations and continents it has reached. I contemplate the number of souls it has touched. And just then, I catch a glimpse of why God placed this overwhelming longing to write within us.