From early on, I have felt the need to prepare. I think it’s because of my fear of failure. I don’t do well shooting from the hip! I don’t want to come across as unprepared. That’s one reason I wrote out every one of my sermons in full manuscript, and then took the manuscript with me into the pulpit. It’s a tedious way of doing sermon preparation, but at least I was prepared and, hopefully, my preparation was evident.
I’m not prone to nightmares—never have been. But the closest thing I have had through the years to a nightmare was some situation in which I found myself unprepared. I can’t tell you of the number of dreams I’ve had where I was ready to go into a worship service but I couldn’t find my sermon notes or my Bible. And I couldn’t even remember what my sermon topic was! At other times, I wasn’t dressed appropriately. I would panic as I desperately searched for my Bible or my shoes. The music had begun but I wasn’t ready.
I had such a dream last night. My nurse says that my dreams or anxiety are caused either by my disease or the Methadone I’m taking. In my dream last night I was scheduled to lead a Bible study. I’m not sure of the setting or the group I was to lead. But I’m sure of this: I was not prepared. Or if I was prepared, I couldn’t locate my Bible or my Bible study notes. In addition, I was on the ground with the group huddled around me. I couldn’t move. I was surrounded by sheer misery!
Some of this fear of being unprepared is bleeding over into my impending journey to heaven. How prepared am I for this journey? Have I done enough to merit entrance? What more do I need to do to get ready? What if I get there, thinking that I am prepared, only to discover that I’ve “misplaced my notes”? It may sound funny, but it’s not. It’s a valid question and a reasonable fear.
What I have to remind myself is that there is nothing I can do to merit entrance into heaven. God, through Christ, has done it all for me. In reality, I am not prepared, nor do I deserve a place in heaven. But the price has been paid, entrance is assured. All I have to do is to accept the free gift.
The Bible makes it clear: “Let not your heart be troubled….In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-4).
The place has been prepared; the price has been paid. I don’t have to have my “notes” with me. God has taken care of everything.
I can’t tell you how much relief and assurance that brings me. My entrance into heaven doesn’t depend on what I’ve done, how much preparation I’m made. I have accepted Christ and He has made it all possible. Thanks be to God.
4 comments:
Dr.Snell,
You probably don't remember me. I'm Elaine Mitchell's mother. I met you when you came to the hospital everytime there was a Mitchell family emergency. Just want you to know I think you are a special minister. Thank you for being there for my daughter and her family.
I read your post about being prepared. It reminded me of the story of the virgins and how God expects us to prepare for life, and for Him, who will be with us always. You, Sir, assuredly are among the prepared.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Mary Doan, Palm Coast, Florida.
Jack,
Maybe it's pandemic to Samford-->Southern Seminary educated persons: I've had the same recurring dreams for all these years. Or maybe it's more related to obsessive-compulsiveness--that's certainly the case with me. Even though I've not been active in ministry or teaching religion since the 80s, I still have the exact dreams you describe. I am about to do a wedding, and I can't find the right chapel, or I've left my little book of services. Your application of this to your fear of being ill-prepared for heaven is right on. Even though we go over the scripture and accept that we are accepted without further striving...we still feel unworthy and undeserving. But these comments I have enjoyed reading from all your associates and parishioners over a 40-year ministry clearly demonstrate that your calling will be recognized as "well done, my good and faithful servant." Note to Anita: Thank you for your words about your life partner. I think of you and pray for your continued strength, as for Jack's, in the days ahead.
Joel Hitt
Dear Jack,
As of now, I am preparing to return to Indonesia. 2 other friends from my church are planning to come this time, a dentist and a phenomenal jack-of-all-trades electrician-plumber -builder. We are facing a problem with the processing of our visas and with the foundation's paperwork. I would appreciate your prayers in this regard.
I have been encouraged and blessed by your thoughts. I was able to see Anita at the CBF meeting and I was happy that you were able to be part of the commissioning service that included my daughter Amanda.
God bless you my friend.
Dear Jack,
Your thoughts on "being prepared" made me reflect on visiting East Germany in the Fall of 1976. I took Roland Bainton's book, "Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther" and read the passages describing Luther's pilgrimage in the key cities of the Reformation. His discovery of the mystery of God's mercy and grace being given to sinful men and women of faith has also been my critical moment of spiritual discovery ever since. Like you I prefer to be prepared, but I'm relieved that Christ's sacrifice did the heavy-lifting for me. I've always enjoyed your careful preparation in many areas of work and ministry. Rest well,
Jim
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