The story is told of Dr. Albert Einstein, the great physicist who has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it.
The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it." Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.
The conductor rushed back and said, "Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you bought one."
Einstein looked at him and said, "Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going."
Like all good stories come to an end, so will we.
Today we buried my brother and friend, Doug Denton. The line to the cemetery was impressive with a police escort, and multiple Union township trucks an employees. It was suppose to be a small, family gathering but it swelled into a crowd.
Doug was a follower of Jesus. He loved his wife and family, he served at Crossroads (especially in our Facilities ministry), attended weekly Bible study and went on a short-term missions trip a number of years ago. He is already missed. But he knew where he was going. At the center of the Christian life is Jesus. He is our joy. On the periphery of our lives there may be troubles, but at the center the follower of Jesus have joy. The BIG questions of identity, purpose and destiny are all answered in the person of Christ. The non-believer & pagan may have moments of joy, but only on the periphery, through the distractions and amusements (a-negates; muse to think about) of life, but these are passing.
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1 Timothy 6:7
At the center of the pagan's life is great apprehension and worry.
"because the sinner is in revolt against God, he does not experience the fear of death as a fear of separation from God, but rather as a fear of separation from life" Rousas Roshdooney
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Nice job Doctor!
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