NEXT!

It’s something we are forced to do repeatedly every day. We get to do it at many intersections. We have to do it when we go to the bank. Go to MacDonald’s? Gotta do it there. Get gas in the car? Often have to do it there. I guarantee you’ll do it at an airport. It is something we struggle to teach our children here at school and at home. And yet it is not something we are inclined to do automatically. What is it? Waiting for our turn.

On my way to school every morning, I have to deal with several intersections where I’ve got to wait my turn. One involves a traffic light where, chances are I’ll have to wait to make a left turn. At the intersection adjoining my school, there is a four way stop where I have to take my turn. And quite frequently I meet those drivers (as you probably do, too) who never learned in Kindergarten, “Take your turn!”

When our children are leaving school and heading for the buses in the afternoon, they have trouble staying in line, often because they can’t wait and take their turns. When children approach the teachers to turn in papers or to ask questions, do you think they can quietly line up and take turns? Not on your life!

Have you ever wondered if there are going to be lines in Heaven? Now there’s a frightening thought – an eternity of waiting (I get practice for this one every time I go to the doctor’s office!). Somehow, I think God will have a mechanism so that waiting won’t occur. I sort of smile when I see the many paintings of children with the lion and lamb sitting at Jesus’ feet in the earth made new. Have you ever noticed there’s never a crowd” Only a handful of children? Where are the multitudes of the redeemed? And yet the concept of only a few with Jesus at any point in time is so appealing.

In our understanding of space and time, and the laws of physics, we can’t conceive of such a thing. Yet those same laws would reject the possibility of Peter, yet alone Christ, ever walking on water. What about floating axe-heads in the Old Testament? It couldn’t have happened under the laws of physics which apply to us. Yet somehow, the Lord made it happen. I am convinced that the Lord must have access to yet another set of laws, and probably another time-space dimension, that science-fiction writers can only dream of.

Fortunately, I don’t have to explain how God will deal with such issues. I only have to have faith that He is able. Which brings up a chorus we used to sing ( you may have, too) many years ago: “He’s Able.” But I won’t sing at you. Instead, I will only encourage you to believe. I don’t know how, but I believe that the Lord will find a way to eliminate the “wait-your-turn” issue in heaven. But if He doesn’t, I guess I’ll just put to practice all the experience I’ve had waiting my turn down here. Sure beats the alternative.

“We are now serving number Forty-seven.” Number Forty-seven? I’m number Eighty-three!

Dr. G