What If…?

Yes, I know worrying about “what if” something happens, etc. is definitely counter-productive. In fact, Jesus reminds us in Matthew, chapter 6, about the reasons we don’t need to worry, weighing ourselves down with anxious thoughts.

This blog post is about a non-anxious type of “what if.” I read a quote by Albert Einstein recently that piqued my interest. He believed that our idea of Time segmented into Past, Present, and Future is an artificial one—that Time, instead, is a vast continuum. With that in mind, I pose the question: what if we could travel back and forth in what we label the Past and the Future?

The reason Einstein’s quote so interested me is because I have been fascinated with  the topic of time travel for many years. Apparently, many other fiction writers have also found the idea intriguing. For instance, Diana Gabaldon wrote the “Outlander” series with her main character moving from post WWII Scotland to the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie and Culloden (and other eras). She utilizes a boulder in an ancient stone circle--a crack in Time-- to transport her characters. Randy Ingermanson, a physicist/ Christian fiction writer, uses “worm holes” to transport his characters back to the time of Paul, the Apostle in Roman Palestine.

Actually, I can see my fascination with time travel exhibiting itself in an interest in historical characters, starting with Biblical characters, such as the women mentioned in the Gospels and most recently in delving into the character of Deborah, the Old Testament judge

My next journey “in time” will involve going back to the Civil War era and imagining what my great-great grandmother might have experienced as she watched her love go off to war. That was just the beginning of a very eventful life for her and I truly anticipate getting to know this kinswoman. I have no letters of hers and only one indistinct picture of her in a group. It is amazing, however, to see how much information can be obtained from reading family obituaries as well as newspaper clippings of the day plus studying the current events during that period.

All of this to say, I am being granted the gift of “time travel” by obtaining answers to my “what if” questions during the time I study. Of course, the time travel is in my mind, but perhaps that is what time travel is all about???

Since the Bible tells us a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day to God, I would nominate Jesus as the ultimate time traveler.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments regarding this concept.

The Long Tomorrow

No pictures with this post, but I have been reading a fascinating book by Randy Alcorn entitled, Heaven. He has written many books both fiction and non-fiction, has been a pastor, and is the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries, a teaching ministry.

The Long Tomorrow is a phrase Alcorn borrowed from AW Tozer, a great writer in the mid-twentieth century, which describes our life after death. That thought can be frightening to some, but it’s a thought that needs to be dealt with before one stares Eternity in the face. And of course, none of us knows when that might occur, since only God knows our expiration date.

For those of us who presently look forward to Heaven, the idea of being reunited with loved ones who beat us there, in addition to the awesome gift of seeing Jesus Who made our presence there possible, is beyond comforting, However, I have to admit, Heaven seemed like a fairly vague concept until I read Alcorn’s book. Besides the topics I mention here, Alcorn discusses many others and the last half of his book lists questions (and his answers) that readers have sent him—all very thought-provoking.

Granted, there is a lot we don’t know about this next address we’re traveling to, but there’s a surprising amount the Bible does tell us and it’s fascinating to be able to access those scriptures in one place which is what Alcorn enables his readers to do.

In case you are not into harp playing or singing in a choir, according to Alcorn, “Fear not, Heaven will definitely never be boring.” Our Creator has given us personalities, talents, and skills and there’s no reason He won’t continue having us use them—minus the curse of the Sin Factor. I found that encouraging despite the fact that I do love to make music (or have, in the past).

Will we know our loved ones in Heaven? Alcorn thinks so because the Bible says “We will be known as we are known.”He also reminds us of how Christ was instantly recognized by the Eleven after He was resurrected from the dead.

For anyone who has not firmly nailed down where you will be spending your “long tomorrow,” I urge you to not waste any more time. Jesus paid the price for your sin debt on that Roman cross 2000 years ago and His gift of your salvation is as valid today as it was to the thief being crucified beside Him. He begged, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”  Jesus assured him that he would be with Him in Paradise. 

A simple affirmation of believing that Christ is God’s Son, who died for your sins and in your place and arose, conquering sin and death and surrendering your life to Him—that will guarantee your “long tomorrow” to be in Heaven with Him.

That will truly be Glory.