Filling the Soul

Imagine awakening to find yourself in a bad dream.

Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. - Daniel 12:2

Daniel warns us about falling off to sleep without being in the right state of mind, body and soul.

We've all experienced them, those bad dreams that shake us awake, leave us with night sweats and chills.  We are so glad to wake up and learn that what we just experienced was not real.

So, what if we fall asleep when we die and have no dream.  Nothing happens.  We remain suspended in time, unknowing, unaware.  Then, suddenly we are awakened.

Depending on what happens next, we might be overjoyed or totally depressed.

We might wish we had been left in the dust.

When I was young, that was the image I was taught, one of an eternity of misery that awaited all who failed to do the right things, all who didn't listen to their parents, or cheated others, or hurt people or just said bad words.

We were told that the life after death would be one that would make us wish we had never been born, if we continued down the path we had chosen, whatever that was.

That's not a great way to come to know God.  He was the judge who watched everything and kept score.

We don't hear that kind of talk much these days.  What's changed?

Were we wrong?  Was Daniel wrong?

The way we talk about God today, it sounds like we will all find our way to eternal joy, regardless of the path we take.  Some add a layer on that, saying that is true as long as we turn to Christ, or at least turn back to God.

That's the promise of our faith, right?  Jesus taught that.  We need to turn around, to get back in line with God, not because He is a meanie, but because He loves us.

So, is it enough to love God back, or do we need to do something more?

I know someone who says he isn't sure, but he feels there is no harm in believing as a way of hedging his bets.  If he stays faithful to God and believes in Jesus, he's assured a spot on the bus.

I don't think that is the right attitude to take, though I am sure it would sell well in the congregation.

Back in the days of preaching hell fire and brimstone, churches were full.  Souls and spirit may have been absent from some of the pews, but the attendance rate was high.

So, what's the right answer?

I believe the focus should be on how we live this life, not how we will end up.  If we truly seek to give and serve out of love for one another, and we do that with our eyes on the teacher and his way, we can't go wrong, and the whole world benefits.

That may not fill the churches, but it does fill the soul.

What do you think?

More to come...

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