Shalom and Ferry Boats

April 29, 2008

Lar,

First of all, thank you for posting that quote from Plantinga. I am excited to get home and read that book! Of course, it might sound a bit odd to be excited about reading a book about sin, but when we understand more fully the extent of sin’s effects, we will come to a greater understanding of how the Lord wants the world to be. And how He will one day remake it. His short description of Shalom produces in me a great longing for that final day in which the Lord Jesus will return and make all things new.

And all things really means all things. At various times throughout my days, I often find myself wondering, “Now what would this be like if there would be no sin?” Yesterday actually, I was asking myself this very question while boarding a Ferry Boat from Istanbul to Bandirma. We have assigned seats, but it is an unwritten rule (that everyone really is aware of) that on the smaller Ferry Boats, first come first serve. So you can imagine the rush onto the boat itself. Combined that with the fact that they allot about 5 minutes for everyone to board and you will know why I was daydreaming in the midst of the crowd.

Of course, on the New Earth, the Ferry Boats are bound to be much better than the one I was riding yesterday (how sweet will they be?!), but let’s put that on the back burner for now. What would the actual boarding process look like if there was no sin? Certainly, it would be more organized. There would be plenty of time to board. And plenty of seating while waiting to board. Indeed, we might even have some parks to lounge around in while waiting. Then, while boarding, there would be no jostling one another for prime position. No running around old ladies and little babies to get the best seats. Indeed, imagine the entire crowd preferring one another. Maybe a few ‘arguments’ would break out because we would be so jealous to give one another the best seats! Of course, maybe the Ferry Boats on the New Earth will be all ‘best seats’ but that is another matter. You know what I am getting at Lar (as if you were arguing with me right now or something).

Then, when we got onto the ferry, there would be plenty of room for everyone’s luggage, because the Ferry Boat designers will have thought that through ahead of time. Everyone will communicate graciously with one another and would probably speak many encouraging words in the process. On and on I could go. But I cannot end this imaginary time without meditating upon what I myself might be like during the whole process! First of all, I wouldn’t have to daydream about a future and better day because I will be experiencing the best Ferry Boat boarding time ever. I will enjoy the entire process. And I would by no means look on anyone without a smile. I also would not wonder what the attendant was thinking when he told me not to put my bag in one place (a place I normally put it actually) and then, when crunched for time, tell me and others to put it in the precise spot! Ok, so that really happened, but the interesting thing was that because I was thinking about the New Earth, I wasn’t bent out of shape about it! (And yes, I am so pathetic that I might normally be inclined to be bent out of shape about it!).

Suffice it to say Lar, that a Ferry Boat boarding time full of the order and flourishing and fullness and peace of Shalom would be a wonderful time indeed. What joy will be ours when Jesus comes again! For His arrival absolutely. He will be the focus of the entire thing. But even our Ferry Boat boarding times will increase our joy and delight in Him. Shalom will be ours. All things will be made new.

I encourage each of us to ask ourselves the question I posed above sometime today…about anything really. “What would this be like without any sin?” Indeed, it is good to ask it daily about yourself, especially when you are inclined to lose it a bit. Then, after asking, use your imagination a bit, act accordingly, and long some more for that final day.

Imagining great things to come,

Joe

p.s. I will get back to you on the post by Piper as well, Lord willing, sometime tomorrow.

Posted by Joe | Filed Under Random Musings, Seeking Him