Mark 16: 15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
This spring and early summer has been unusually rainy. The grass is growing to the point the mower is getting a more than normal workout and the string-line trimmer is well used.
The ponds are full and creeks are running full speed. Normally by this time of year they have ceased to flow and mostly pooled in a few places. We’ve noticed when out on the Harley, tortoises are often crossing the roads.
There was a snapping turtle down by the creek last week. Those pre-historic looking jaws of his were a warning not to get too close. Too much water had driven him out of his normal habitat.
Early this morning, just after daylight, I walked down the driveway with my first cup of coffee. The fresh sealant on the driveway was shiny after the rain last night.
From about thirty feet away, noticed were spots of mud on the clean driveway. A few steps later it became obvious, the spots were rabbit tracks. The rabbits had come out of the corn field which was muddy between the rows.
We sit on the front porch most mornings and watch our rabbit friends chomp on the white clover. We are amused by their quick bursts of movement to another spot for their favorite breakfast.
Observing the creation of our God gives us more than adequate motivation to engage in our early morning conversations.
One morning we noticed several birds sitting on the power line together and one lonely bird about fifty feet from the crowd. Perhaps birds can also be classified as introverts or extroverts.
Some choose to perch in the tree tops in the woods across the road while others are in the grass foraging out those tasty morsels of grass seeds. One recent morning, a flock of turkeys crossed our front yard and evenings we enjoy the music of the frogs on the pond, crickets in the trees, and the light of the fireflys over the wheat field.
God’s precious creation is all around us. Not noticed, by many is His power and originality.
The muddy rabbit tracks on the driveway make me wonder what mark I will leave on the world. Many, I’m sure wonder the same thing. Most us realize we will live and die and in a few years be forgotten.
Tombstones are important to some but in knowing that after a few years, no one will even recognize our names, what’s the point of having a rock costing thousands of dollars over our dead bodies?
A question asked once was “What can we do on this earth that will make a difference in a thousand (or a million) years?”
For the believer in the Lord Jesus and eternal life (Romans 6: 23), the answer is very clear. In my writing and speaking, the comment has been made, “How arrogant and ridiculous you are in teaching people there is only one eternal salvation!”
One never gets used to that statement and the sorrow felt for those that say (and think) such a thing, cuts into my heart. Their denial of our Lord Jesus is an eternal decision and one believed in all certainty, they will regret.
Acts 4: 12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” The Apostle Luke was of course referring to Jesus when he wrote that verse.
Jesus said in John 14: 6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.” This statement by our Jesus is very conclusive and certain. No room is left for doubt!
Biblical certainty is steadfast and realistic. The information in the Bible written between 1900 and 3500 years ago proves beyond doubt of the reality of the scriptures. The finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other artifacts offer irrefutable proof of the age and case for the Bible and the salvation offered by Jesus.
Romans 10: 9-10 “If thou shalt confess (say it, believe it) with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” This is a promise from God.
Those muddy rabbit tracks left a few spots on my driveway that will be washed away by the next rain. But you can make a mark on a precious life that our Jesus died for by telling them about Him. And yes, it will make a difference in a thousand or a million years.
When we begin to regard everyone we see as someone Jesus died for, then, and only then, will we begin to make our marks on eternity.
After preaching a revival a few years ago in the town where I was an Industrial Arts teacher, a young man came to me after a service and said: “I just finished building a house for my family and I was able to do that because of what I learned in your class.”
Wouldn’t it be cool to have someone say to you in Heaven someday “I’m here because you told me!” Van Yandell is a retired Industrial Arts teacher, an ordained gospel evangelist and missionary, his email is: vmy3451@gmail.com