When I saw her yesterday, in fresh skin dressed in soft cotton, she still radiated purity. Her dark silky hair her crown. She slept a peaceful sleep full of smiles and moans of contentment. I had to imagine what she witnessed behind those fluttering eyelids. Barely two months into this world, what does she know now that we have forgotten?
Surely a faith in the care of her parents.
She doesn’t know all the pain this world will throw at her. For now, she trusts that her needs will be met. She sleeps in complete satisfaction. She is held and comforted. She wants for nothing.
We know a little of the life she will face. We know the hurt of not getting our way. We have experienced pain from splinters and cuts and scrapes. We have wondered at things our minds can’t quite grasp and struggled in moments of uncertainty. We have wrestled with heart-break. We have known disappointment. We have known what it feels like to lose someone we love dearly.
Jesus knew the little children trusted in Him. He knew their faith to be so much stronger than those of us who have been tainted by this world and its influences. He captured their attention and I have to wonder how those children that were able to touch His face and hold His hand must have felt. Did He provide a space of euphoric bliss? Were symphonic notes of heaven heard at the sound of His voice? Did skin spark with glory at His touch? Were fragrant wafts of breath welcoming? Did they fully realize the splendor they beheld?
And then life. Did they remember Him?
Do we remember Him?
When we nestle into the pillow and cover with warmth, are we able to let the world slip out of our fingers long enough to rest? If our doors are locked and the lights are off and the thermostat is set to our comfort and the dogs are not barking, do we slip into a place where we can remember Him? In that space of rest?
There comes a final rest. And at that moment of leaving the certain uncertainty behind that has become who we are, we come to a fork in the road. After having traveled through the fluttering eyelids and moans of contentment as an infant fresh from the womb to experiencing every moment of living, the end comes soon. The in-between choices bring us to a destination.
It is a place that becomes our decision. And it isn’t a decision we can make too late. Because our first breath is given to us and our last breath will also be given to us. The moment that final breath is given will be the final moment of decision. That next moment is too late.
There are only two directions in the road. And the split is evident long before we arrive. At some point it comes into view and we start planning. We take little side excursions, veering off the path to pick a wildflower or grab a picture of the setting sun. And the beauty reminds us to get back on the main road. The journey is uncertain. There may be potholes and black ice. It is a journey only we can travel and navigate ourselves.
No one can walk around in my skin.
Not another soul can reside in my place.
My choices are mine as soon as I claim them.
But that one defining decision sends us in a certain direction after that final breath. One decision that requires faith in Jesus. One decision where we recognize Him as the only One that can redeem whatever we have experienced. That moment may not bring with it all things pleasant but it does bring with it a certain path of eternal joy. Not to be confused with happiness. Unspeakable joy that resides forever. Joy being a deep contentment of the soul. Peace in chaos. One defining moment of decision.
That little one I saw yesterday will come to a place of decision. Many decisions. But one will be the most important.
Because there will come a time when no other decisions can be made. The uncertainty of living will be removed and a sure eternity exists.
Have you made the most important decision? Have you highlighted your map? Do you know which direction you will travel?
If you haven’t made a decision to trust in Jesus, will you reach out to someone that knows Him? Will you talk with them? Will you pick-up a Bible and read its pages? Will you pray to the One that will redeem all that you are and welcome you into His family?
It is your choice to make your final moment in this world the ultimate sweet moment.
