Excuse Me, Your Telescope is Backwards!

This is just a thought I'm sharing that came to me while I was in the shower a little while ago.

Why are so many people reluctant to follow Christ the way that he asks us to follow him?  Why do people feel that it doesn't take "all that" to be a believer?  Why do people not take salvation seriously?  Well, I believe a portion of the problem is because so many people look at holiness as if looking backwards through a telescope... they see a very distant narrow view of things.

THE WORLD'S VIEW ---> If I choose salvation:

• I cant't go _____.
• I can't do _____.
• I can't wear _____.
• I can't say _____.
• I can't be _____.
• I won't have _____.

That's too much... That's too hard...  That's no fun.

You can't see the big clear picture when you're looking through the wrong end of a telescope... Turn it around and look again.

If I choose salvation:

• I will be free from the pains of sin.
• I will  have the hand of God on my life.
• I will  have nothing to fear or worry about.
• I will automatically have the victory through any trial.
• I will have more blessings than I can imagine flow into my life.
• I will have the God of the universe know me by name, hear my prayers, and answer my calls.
• I will inherit the kingdom and riches of Heaven.
• I will escape the eternal torments of Hell in exchange for eternal joy and life.
• I will have God as my guide therefore I can never go wrong.
• I will have my every need [and then some] provided for me.
• I will be in the perfect will of God.

For those who truly take the walk of salvation seriously as an everyday effort, these are just a few things that come along with it.  Yes, things of the world that are sinful must be shed... Yes, there are things that are called to be abstained from.  That doesn't mean salvation equals having no life, no fun, no nothing.  God wants us to glorify him with our lives, but He also wants us to personally enjoy our lives as well!  There are plenty of things that are fun to do that aren't at the cost of righteousness; simply just don't make simple fun activities sinful.  There is no need to drink shots in order to "pregame" for an event or group gathering.  Instead of shaking it at a bar or club, be sophisticated and enjoy a jazz lounge or maybe a live outdoor group.  Instead of trying to satisfy loneliness or write your own love story with numerous bf's/gf's, friends with benefits, and so on; spare yourself the games, deceit and possibly disease... wait on the angel God has for you.  Perfect a hobby in the meantime-- play a sport, create some art, learn something new and interesting, do something productive rather than reproductive.  You get the idea.

The point of this all is --> VIEW SALVATION THE RIGHT WAY: FOR THE LIFE THAT YOU GAIN... not the parts that you lose.  The things you lose for salvation are only the things that pluck you from Satan's hand.  It is for your own benefit and growth.. not to seem as a sad life sentence.