For the Christian, All Roads Lead to Heaven

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16). The legions of heaven have even been dispatched to serve and protect you personally (Hebrews 1:14). As a citizen of the kingdom of heaven, all the resources of heaven are at your disposal; heaven exists as if you were the only citizen of it. Not only are all the privileges of the kingdom of heaven yours, but all the responsibilities as well. God is depending on each of us to fulfill what He has gifted us to do.

A young pastor in a humble setting in Zimbabwe, Africa, viewed his life with much significance. His words are a challenge to all of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior. May his statement become our personal testimony.

"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit's power . . . . The decision has been made-I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished . . . with low living, sight walking . . . tamed visions, worldly talking . . . ."

"I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position . . . or popularity . . . . I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and I labor with power. . ."

"My goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions are few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear . . . . I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity."

"I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And, when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me . . . my banner will be clear."

These words were found with his belongings after he'd been killed for his faith. He did not consider importance or position to be his qualifications for service. He simply had a passion for serving God and knew His privileges and responsibilities. One of the roads to heaven ran through Zimbabwe, and he was on it.

As Christians we need that young pastor's passion. Too many believers are sitting around instead of getting on the road to heaven that runs through their part of the kingdom. Too many have lost sight of the fact that their gifts and calling from God are critically important to the mission of God.