From My Perspective

This actually isn't going to be from my perspective...it will be from my former pastor John Stumbo. He has such an amazing story and if you want, check out his blog here.  Before I get to what I actually intended to write about, I have some background: I have been going through old papers and letters from the past few years because I recently bought a little 2-drawer filing cabinet ($2 at a garage sale!!) that is is perfect condition besides a few scratches. Up til now I have had a box in the garage that has held a few files, but they aren't very organized, and if you know me, you know that I love to be organized. So it was my joy to find this little black beauty, clean it up a bit, and get it ready for use! My goal is to get all of my papers filed away in alphabetical categories by the time school starts back up for me (that gives me about 3 weeks). So...while I have been going though things I came across an old church bulletin from my past church Salem Alliance. I scanned through it and then came to the back page which always has a column called "From My Perspective" written by one of the elders. This particular bulletin was from Easter 2005 and the column was written by John Stumbo, the senior pastor at that time. I just wanted to share what he wrote because it was a good reminder for me.

     "I once missed getting to go to a Minnesota Twins game because I was playing catch at my friend's house. This was a HUGE disappointment. As a small town boy, going to the big city to watch a professional baseball game was a once-a-year-at-best event. Not knowing that my brother-in-law was coming by to pick me up for the game, I had wandered off to a friend's house without letting anyone know where I was. I missed the game of the year while playing a routine game of catch.
     It was about the same year - third grade, I believe - that I missed out on going to another friend's house for an "overnighter." Kent had invited me to ride home with him on the bus after school. My mom gave permission. The day came. School let out and as we walked to the bus, I froze. "Uh, Kent, uh, I think I'll just go home." I wanted to go to Kent's house very much, but I had never ridden a bus. Fear won. I walked. Kent never invited me again.
     Over three decades have past. I've now been to many baseball games in many stadiums, stayed with friends across the country and have ridden my share of buses - actually, for thousands of miles. But I still miss a few things from time to time because of preoccupation or fear.
     This Easter season, I've been struck that many people are missing out on the most significant event of human history - the resurrection of Jesus Christ - for the same reasons I missed out as a boy.
     Many people are so preoccupied with their busy lives that they have little time or reason to consider the implications of the fact that Jesus really is alive - in every sense of the word. Somewhere in the back of their minds they've concluded, "What does it matter if the Easter story is really true? I've got bills to pay, a project to finish and a cell phone ringing. I'll deal with it later...maybe."
     Others have walked up to the "bus" and pulled back in fear. Thoughts about God, forgiveness, eternity, sin, salvation and our souls scare many people away. Somewhere in the backwaters of their thoughts they've decided, "This whole Jesus thing might be real - but I don't want to have to deal with it. I'm afraid He might had a different plan for my life than I do."
     What about you? Have you been so preoccupied you've neglected dealing with the world's only Savior? Have you been afraid to explore what a relationship with Him might look like? The "bus" is leaving. The "game" is incredible. Don't miss out."

It may not be Easter, but nevertheless Jesus did die for our sins and has risen and ascended into heaven, interceding for us, His children. That is the marvelous truth.

Jesus is calling out to you. If you receive Him as your Savior and Lord, He will change your life and you will have the hope of eternity in heaven with Him. If you are already my brother or sister in Christ, I hope you can let this be a reminder to you to let the Holy Spirit lead your life. Don't let fear hold you back from what He is calling you to do.