Friday night before my yoga class I sat in the dry sauna for a bit. It's typically pretty hot, like nearly take away your breath hot. But this time it had been turned up to the hottest level possible. It burnt my nose just to breathe, and I ended up getting a cup of water to sip on. The edge of the paper cup was super hot to the touch, but that water, each little sip, was so cool and refreshing.
I couldn't help but think of the Bible story about Lazarus and the rich man. (Read the whole story HERE, Luke 16:19-31) There is a lot more to the story, but the part that stood out was this one verse. Luke 16:24 ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ Just in the 10 minutes or so I was sitting in the sauna I was grateful for the multiple sips of water. And that was just a hot sauna, not sitting in fire.
Fast forward to yesterday. It was a beautiful spring day. The first day we were able to get the kayak out on the water, put on swimsuits and enjoy the beach, boating and sun. It wasn't super hot and I really wasn't thinking about sunscreen. I am outside a lot and was ok, EXCEPT the tops of my shoulders. They haven't seen sunlight since early fall. And they fried, as in bright red, look like a lobster, hurt, no doubt will peel, kind of burn. The kind that woke me up every time I rolled over last night. And it was a halter type swimsuit, which meant all day my shirt has rubbed on it. I couldn't believe I had burned my shoulder tops that badly when the rest of me just turned brown. They were so burnt I posted a pic on facebook. And wow! So many of my friends either told me how not to get burnt next time (sunscreen and yes, I should have used it) or told me what to do to relieve the burn (multiple remedies of which I'm trying most).
Friday night's sauna episode had all but been forgotten by this point. But this brought it back to mind as well as thinking about what hell would be like. Being that I have probably the most random thoughts you could think of, I thought about the effort and time that my friends took to post to prevent and help my burn. It made me feel cared for and loved. But its just a sunburn, and just on my shoulders.
What about those we know that don't know Christ? Do we ever take the time to share with them the good news that though we are in a sin filled world, and though we are all sinners doomed to eternal death in a lake of fire, that Christ has died to pay that payment? (For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16) Our redeemer, our Savior, and if I might be so bold, our SONscreen. Of course He is more than just "fire insurance," but rarely do I ever hear anyone mention the word hell anymore. We all want to be "good." So many think that "Christian" and "good person" are the one and the same. And even when we know they aren't, we use the words interchangeably. For example, not long ago I was trying to help someone find a job and the comment back was that I'm such a good Christian person. At that point this person really didn't know me at all. Just because I'm a nice person doesn't mean I'm a Christian person (I AM a Christian, but not because I'm nice or helpful or good). Hell isn't pleasant to talk about. It isn't politically correct. We don't want to feel like our friends think we are judging them. Believe me, I totally get this. But we have GOT to quit thinking and worrying about others thinking that. None of my friends that posted was worried that I would think they were judging me because they were sharing with me ways to prevent sunburn and offering to share sunscreen. And isn't a life spent in hell for eternity much, much worse than a sunburn?
Matthew 7:13 “You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way."
God, please give me the boldness to point out the narrow gate, the way of life, to those I am around and meet. Give me the words to say that guide, not turn away. That show love and grace, not judgment. Help me in my own daily walk to stay on the path of life. To remember today and this life are quickly over, but heaven and hell are forever. To not live in fear of hell, but to walk humbly in grace and gratitude that You have made a way of escape. To be as willing to share with others the things that will effect their eternity, as I am to share the things that are fleeting. Amen.
