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Recently I took an early morning walk before breakfast. It’s winter here, and after the cold night, I was enjoying the fresh morning air. As I passed the sports oval, I saw an older model car parked there. It may have been there all night. I saw that there was a person inside, wrapped in a blanket. Time to make a choice: ignore and walk past; smile and wave; stop to ask, “Are you OK?”
I stopped to ask, “Are you OK?” The woman inside didn’t wind down the window, or even smile. I repeated the question, and she just said, “Yeah.”
So, I walked on. She’d said she was OK, so there was nothing I could do, right? Well, it didn’t feel right to me. After walking a short distance away, I remembered the little papers that I have in my phone case, listing the name and phone number of a local community charity. I got one out and walked back to her car.
The woman just looked straight ahead. I tapped gently on the window. She said, “F* off!”
I asked, “Do you need help? “Do you have food?”
She said, “Yeah.”
I showed her the paper and said, “If you need help or food this is where you can get it. It’s all free.” I put the paper on the windscreen, under the wiper blade. It was wet with dew, but I hoped that she might get it before the ink got wet.
I don’t need help!
The woman told me that she was OK. She didn’t want help. Maybe she WAS OK. Maybe she enjoyed sitting in her cold car all night. Maybe she was waiting for someone. Maybe she just needed time on her own without strangers tapping on her window, disturbing her peace. I honestly don’t know her situation, but I chose to point her to somewhere that can help, should she want it.
I don’t want your help
Sometimes, I think I can be just like the woman in the car. Sometimes I’ve needed help, but I didn’t want to admit it. I’ve been too proud to admit it. Surely, I should be able to cope on my own.
Sometimes, I’ve been hurt that my friends and family didn’t volunteer to help me. Surely, they can see what I need. I’ve spent my whole life caring for others, why don’t they step up and help me now? Why should I have to lower myself to beg them for help?
At times, I’ve been cold, hungry, lost, lonely and sad. But, I’m too proud to ask for help. And certainly, too proud to take help even if it was offered by someone. Especially if it was offered by someone who I think looks down on me. I might think the person offering help is just a do-gooder, or just trying to put me down. Or just a systemically privileged, know-it-all, smart alec who knows nothing at all about my life situation.
Help is available, and it’s all free
The local community charity whose details I gave her, gives free food and essentials. It’s run by a group of Christians, and the pastor is available for counselling and help. It’s all free. No one is forced to attend, but it’s there for those who ask for help.
Jesus is offering help too. In fact, He’s already paid the price for you. He came to save you from eternal damnation:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
AND He came that you might live a full life here and now:
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10b
But, actually, I don’t need help
Many of us think we actually don’t need help. We think we ARE OK. We’ve got food, and drink, a house, and friends, a job, a car, a phone, money to buy coffee…Everything looks fine. We are totally oblivious to the trouble we are in.
We don’t think about the Big Question – where am I going? We don’t have time to think about death and eternity, because we’re too busy having a good time now, and making lots of money so we can retire comfortably.
When we do think about life after death, there are several possible answers:
1. I’m going nowhere. This is all there is. After death = oblivion.
2. I’ve been a good enough person. I haven’t killed anyone. So, if there is a heaven. I’ll be going there.
3. I’m not good enough to go to heaven. But, what the hell, all my friends will be there, so I’ll be happy in hell with them.
4. I’ll get what I deserve in my next life/reincarnation. I’ll come back in another form and repeat the process infinitely.
None of these answers are what God says:
People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.
Hebrews 9:27
I don’t get what I deserve. I get what Jesus earned for me
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
We’re all going to die. According to God, we’re all going to be judged. True justice would mean that, because of my sinful nature, I go to hell, eternally separated from God who is holy and righteous.
BUT, Jesus died to pay the price for you and me. It cost Him everything, but it costs me nothing. Amazingly, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, I get the free gift of eternal life in heaven.
God’s help is available now, and it’s all free
This free gift of salvation is for you, now! Jesus came so that you can go to heaven. You can’t earn it. You don’t deserve it, no matter how good you think you are. There will be NO love, friendship or partying in hell. God is love, and hell is being separated from God, forever.
Jesus died for everyone. Every. single. one. It’s done. He received the punishment for you. You don’t have to perish. God loves you so much, that He gave His one and only Son, that if you believe in Him, you won’t perish. But you will live with Him forever in heaven, where there will be no more death, or crying, or pain, or sickness, or trouble.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:4
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus for dying in my place. Thank you, God, that, because of Jesus, I can come into your holy presence, live life to the full now, and live with you forever in heaven. Help me not to ignore, refuse, or reject Your free gift. Help me to believe. Amen.
What about you?
Where do you think you’re going after death?
Where would you like to go?
Do you believe that Jesus died for you?
Why or why not?
If you need help:
Community Care/ Emergency Relief
Lifeline Ph 13 11 14
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