Russian Roulette

Have you ever heard of the game 'Russian Roulette'?  It's not even fair to call it a 'game' really, as it offers nothing in terms of fun or entertainment.

 

Russian Roulette involves at least two people, who have between them a handgun that holds six bullets.  Only one bullet is loaded into the gun and the cartridge is spun so that no one knows where the bullet is in relation to the hammer.  Each person takes a turn putting the gun to their head and then pulling the trigger.  If the hammer hits an empty chamber the person is safe.  Then the gun is passed to the other person who does the same thing.  This continues until the unfortunate person pulls the trigger when the bullet is lined up with the firing chamber--then it is 'game over.'

 

Brutal and harsh.  Final and totally a waste.

 

These are the thoughts that come to mind when I consider today's question:

"Why should a person not wait until they are close to death to turn to Jesus?  What happens when you don’t wait and why?  Why do it now?"

 

Why wait to receive the gift of forgiveness and life from Jesus?  Why not just live on your own terms then, when your time is running short, take the plunge and give your life over to Him?

 

Well, there are a few reasons why this is just not worth it.  First, as with the Russian Roulette example in mind, how do you know when your time is up?  It seems to me that it is possible for any of us to have something happen that could end our lives in a heartbeat.  Just think about a heartbeat as the example:  how do you know that you won't have a heartattack today?  If you're young, then heartattacks don't even register in your thinking:  but what about a bodycheck at your rec hockey game tomorrow night?  Things can happen. . .

 

If heaven and hell are real, and the choices we make in this life matter for our eternal destiny, then does it make a lot of sense to play 'Russian Roulette' with your life?  Sure you could argue that there isn't a God, and that Jesus was just a good person and nothing more, but if I can't prove that God and Jesus are who they say they are, then it is just as true that you can't prove that they aren't.  So then it seems that denying God/Jesus is like playing a deadly game.

 

Is it worth it?

 

But there is something else that is important to know:  there is the assumption that living life without Jesus is somehow much better than with Him.  I really have to disagree on this point.  It's true that when our lives become His, He becomes our 'master'--a term that is not very appealing to us today.  But what we are gaining is a relationship with one who genuinely loves us, who watches over us, cares for us, is willing to sacrifice His life for us, provides for us wisdom and knowledge, and shows us a way of life that invites others into wholeness and healing.

 

How is this a bad thing?  It's the age old lie that comes from Satan who tells the World that it's better to be the 'captain of your own ship', live just the way you want, not listening to anyone else.  Well, a lie it is, because as God's word and Bob Dylan state--you will always have to serve someone. 

 

Total independence is a lie.  Period.

Isaiah 30:18 says: "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for him!"

So don't wait to give your life to Jesus--that's like playing 'Russian Roulette' with your life.  Instead, in relationship with Jesus, wait for Him and He will show you what abundant life is really all about!

BT