(M, C)br...
Illustration
(M, C)
I read in Albany, New York's "Times Union" (10/5/81) of a man whose devotion to his dead wife and daughter was carried to an extreme degree. In the small Vermont community where he lived, he built a huge and elaborate mausoleum directly across from his mansion. He expected them to return from the dead any time and wanted to make it easy for them to come back home. After his own death, he left money and instructions in his will for the home to be maintained (food, fresh sheets) and a small service staff to be on duty to keep the house ready for the return of all three family members. Ultimately, the money ran out, and the mansion fell into disrepair. A used book shop currently occupies the premises. Meanwhile, a granite memorial has been erected to him on the roof of the mausoleum. It is a statue-likeness of him anxiously peering out as he continues his vigil of waiting for his beloved wife and daughter.
His devotion to his loved ones is admirable. But his absolute preoccupation with their return was surely crippling and unhealthy. May I suggest there are some clues here for Christians as we wait the Second Coming of our Lord? Loving devotion to Jesus Christ and absolute conviction about his Second Coming are admirable. But, standing still and doing nothing else but waiting for him is crippling! Indeed, being overly preoccupied, even obsessed, with his Second coming, produces a religion that is unhealthy. So, love the Lord and believe in his Second Coming. But, keep busy at personal spiritual growth and making our world a better place. In other words, let's make sure our own hearts and our world are ready to receive him. And, let's leave the timetable up to him.
-- Campbell
I read in Albany, New York's "Times Union" (10/5/81) of a man whose devotion to his dead wife and daughter was carried to an extreme degree. In the small Vermont community where he lived, he built a huge and elaborate mausoleum directly across from his mansion. He expected them to return from the dead any time and wanted to make it easy for them to come back home. After his own death, he left money and instructions in his will for the home to be maintained (food, fresh sheets) and a small service staff to be on duty to keep the house ready for the return of all three family members. Ultimately, the money ran out, and the mansion fell into disrepair. A used book shop currently occupies the premises. Meanwhile, a granite memorial has been erected to him on the roof of the mausoleum. It is a statue-likeness of him anxiously peering out as he continues his vigil of waiting for his beloved wife and daughter.
His devotion to his loved ones is admirable. But his absolute preoccupation with their return was surely crippling and unhealthy. May I suggest there are some clues here for Christians as we wait the Second Coming of our Lord? Loving devotion to Jesus Christ and absolute conviction about his Second Coming are admirable. But, standing still and doing nothing else but waiting for him is crippling! Indeed, being overly preoccupied, even obsessed, with his Second coming, produces a religion that is unhealthy. So, love the Lord and believe in his Second Coming. But, keep busy at personal spiritual growth and making our world a better place. In other words, let's make sure our own hearts and our world are ready to receive him. And, let's leave the timetable up to him.
-- Campbell
