I came across something unexpected at the new Wal-Mart in Marshall. The CD section in the store is not broken down into the separate genres of country, rap, rock, Christian & pop. Instead, it is arranged in simple alphabetical order by the artist's name. I'm sure this is a tremendous help to the employees who are stocking merchandise. As long as they know that "M" comes after "L" and then "N" comes after that, then they have it made.
We have a lot of categories that divide up those who squeeze onto the shelf of Christianity. There are little signs snapped into place that divide conservatives from liberals, evangelicals from mainliners, moderns from postmoderns. Further distinctions then subcategorize us by all kinds of topics from preferred musical style to eschatological outlook, baptism method to view on women in leadership, ecclesiology to spiritual gifts. Each local church and individual can peel and stick the labels they deem the most appropriate. There are an infinite number of designations within the broader Christian section.
Heaven is going to be like the CD section at the new Wal-Mart. No subcategories. There won't be an endless list of genres to neatly divide up and categorize followers of Jesus. We will all be one, in the presence of a holy God, worshipping for eternity. We will be there in a state of divine unison. No genres. Not even lined up from "A" to "Z". Just there in one accord, overwhelmed by the great truth that is the Alpha & the Omega, the beginning & the end.
"You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They'll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd." Jesus in John 10:16 (TMSG).
Christmas reminds me that each believer is part of a diverse, worldwide family of faith. We share a common Father & are bound together by a common bloodline that flows from our common Savior. Those who believe in Jesus' substitutionary death are members of that global family. Very soon, all of his true followers will be gathered together in one place with no unnecessary distinctions. Imagine Christ's entire body worshipping together in a community without categories. Christmas reminds us that God was born as a baby to make that dream a reality. While it may be harder to find a specific genre at the Marshall Wal-mart, we won't even think to look for any kind of label in Heaven.
We have a lot of categories that divide up those who squeeze onto the shelf of Christianity. There are little signs snapped into place that divide conservatives from liberals, evangelicals from mainliners, moderns from postmoderns. Further distinctions then subcategorize us by all kinds of topics from preferred musical style to eschatological outlook, baptism method to view on women in leadership, ecclesiology to spiritual gifts. Each local church and individual can peel and stick the labels they deem the most appropriate. There are an infinite number of designations within the broader Christian section.
Heaven is going to be like the CD section at the new Wal-Mart. No subcategories. There won't be an endless list of genres to neatly divide up and categorize followers of Jesus. We will all be one, in the presence of a holy God, worshipping for eternity. We will be there in a state of divine unison. No genres. Not even lined up from "A" to "Z". Just there in one accord, overwhelmed by the great truth that is the Alpha & the Omega, the beginning & the end.
"You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They'll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd." Jesus in John 10:16 (TMSG).
Christmas reminds me that each believer is part of a diverse, worldwide family of faith. We share a common Father & are bound together by a common bloodline that flows from our common Savior. Those who believe in Jesus' substitutionary death are members of that global family. Very soon, all of his true followers will be gathered together in one place with no unnecessary distinctions. Imagine Christ's entire body worshipping together in a community without categories. Christmas reminds us that God was born as a baby to make that dream a reality. While it may be harder to find a specific genre at the Marshall Wal-mart, we won't even think to look for any kind of label in Heaven.
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