As he walked the sacred hall, the dark walls were adorned with pictures, snapshots of his life; quips ever changing. The photographs he spied seemed meaningless and inconclusive to him, having lived the moments he was watching. So insignificant to him were the images that he couldn’t comprehend why the hall was filled with them, thousands of them. There were some of course that had meaning; the birth of his daughter, Christmases past, Easter morning traditions, but the majority were not moments of joy for him – they were moments of everyday life...and still he would ponder, “why
are these the moments captured on this wall?”
And in the distance, past these awakenings, at the end of the dark hall in which he stood, was a nimbus, a softly glowing light…the end of the hall he presumed. Slowly he walked the hall, randomly pausing, randomly watching these random moments of his life. Nearer and nearer the light he drew, a lump in his throat was growing, still peace was in his heart. He so wanted to find someone – anyone to ask, “What are these random pictures of my life and why are they flashing across these walls?”
Finally at the entrance he stood, eyes adjusting to the bright light flowing from the room attached. He gazed at the floor a moment and studied the threshold, “How many have taken this walk before me?” He wondered. And peeking into the room of light he found that it was not a room at all, but a mammoth coliseum, much larger than the Romans could ever build; in fact it was more colossal than anything he’d seen on earth. Seated in the coliseum where hundreds of thousand of hosts not making a single sound; it was evident that he was center stage. He as the only one moving, all else was completely and utterly still. And in a corner was seated the host of hosts, heavenly and holy – and he was drawn towards this host. And as their eyes met certain, unattainable completeness came upon him. It was a feeling he’d been searching for his whole life. In fact, he was so honored to be in his presence that he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, sing or dance, praise or worship. But there was one question that he had for this host, the God of the universe, the creator of all things. One question indeed; “What was so important about the random moments in my life that you would display them on the walls of the hall for all to see?”
His response was soft and gentle, “Because it is in these moments, when no one else is watching, that has defined your character. Everyone knows you are a good person, kind and gentle, but they never knew that you cried when you cried, helped when you helped and loved the unlovable. When you said, “good morning” to a person it was not just a repetitive utterance, you were genuinely curious about their morning. And when they heard the sincerity in your voice it instantaneously changed the course of their day. Or when you said, “Can I help you?” Your truth was heard and brought comfort to those in need. All of these random moments in your life are not just random. They have changed the course of thousands of people’s lives. A simple word, a single gesture, a subtle wave and lives were altered in a positive way – and these are the highlights of your life,” he said, gesturing the hall.
And taking the man into his arms, the King of the Heavens spoke these simple words, “Welcome home my good and faithful servant. For it was the simple things in life that you used so uniquely to show the world my love” And as the man stood, wholly at peace, the voices of hundreds of thousands could be heard singing and cheering in an eruption that on earth would have been deafening, but here it was heavenly. And then it happened, one by one they came from their seats, hundreds of thousands of them, faces he recognized, each one with a story of kindness that he had shown them, thankful hearts, loving tears and gratitude.
Everyday our words and our actions can make an impact on someone’s life in a positive – or negative way. I’m certain Chad Spicer chose the former. For those he leaves behind remember that the Love of Christ will get you through –
