Audience of One
“You will stand before the Audience of One,” Marcus said. “Man’s opinions of you will not matter to you then. Knowing that, why do they matter so much to you now?” (Edge of Eternity by Randy Alcorn)
Recently I read this novel called Edge of Eternity. It’s an allegory about the journey of life – the choosing between an eternity with God or an eternity without Him. At one point, in the book, the main character meets a man on the path who doesn’t know the way to Charis (Heaven), and who is going the wrong way. Just as we often do, he makes excuses in his mind about why he won’t come right out and tell him how to get on the right path.
“What would Bluecoat think of me if I questioned his direction? Would he be insulted as some other had been? Would he think me a fanatic? Perhaps just by being friendly I could be a good example. I might dispel any of his negative impressions of chasm-crossers.”
Does this sound familiar? If it doesn’t, that’s awesome, but I know for me, this is all too familiar thinking. I want to tell people about the great gift offered them by the Creator of the world. I want to speak of His amazing love. I want to share with them the way to the path of life. But often, excuses hold me back. Fear of man gets in the way. And when you think about it, it’s truly silly and sad at the same time.
When we stand before the Father, what He thinks will be the only thing that matters.
So many are heading to an eternity without hope and life. So many, are headed towards destruction. And we know the “secret.” We know the way. And yet, most of us, myself included, are afraid to tell them. We’re afraid of what they will think.
O God, help us. Change our mindsets. Help us to see people as You see them. Help us to love. Help us to care more for your opinion, than the opinions of the world. Give us perspective. Let us see that we have the greatest gift ever given at our disposal. Let us not be afraid or ashamed in any way to share this great news with the people who so desperately need it.