Is That You?

Is That You?

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means . . . refusing to let the world corrupt you.

James 1:27

Shirley had been suffering from a serious physical problem for several months. Finally, with no other options available, the doctor recommended that she have surgery. However, he could not promise that she would live through it, because it was a tricky kind of surgery.

Fearing the worst, Shirley took a few days to get her personal affairs in order and then checked into the hospital. Under the anesthetic Shirley had a dream in which she heard God speak to her. He said, “Shirley, don’t worry. You will not die from the surgery. You will have another thirty to forty years of life.”

Sure enough, Shirley came through the surgery fine and quickly recuperated. Since she knew she would live so many more years, she decided to live them in style. So she had a total body makeover—a tummy tuck, a face lift, a new hair color, a pair of colored contact lenses, and a new wardrobe. Even her nearest and dearest friends were amazed at the transformation.

Then one day Shirley was crossing a downtown street when she was hit by a car and died. In the “blink of an eye” she was surprised to find herself standing before the throne of God.

Looking around, she said, “God, I thought you said I had another thirty to forty years to live.”

God said, “Shirley, is that you?”

I sometimes wonder whether—after we have worked so hard to fit into our society and conform to the look and lifestyles of the world around us—God will recognize us as his children when we stand before him. Will he look at me and say, “Welcome, my child,” or, “I never knew you”?

Hold me close, Father, and don’t let me drift away from you. Draw me ever nearer to you, and keep me safe and secure in your love. Amen.