The Most Important Thing

When wars have ceased, international leaders have become dust and the poverty of their souls is revealed; when enterprises crumble and the last dream has evaporated; when death has claimed the final person, and those alive are changed for their eternal future; when everything earthly and mundane is over, and each person resides in heaven or hell—what will be important? And what among all that is important will be the most important?

This is a question worth thinking about, because finding out what is important in the end will, or at least should, tell you what is important now. That which is important for eternity, that is, for billions of years and more, is surely the most important thing to God for this brief wisp of time called human history. And it should be even more important for you, since you live here for only a small fraction of that wisp.

What if, in your hurry and your worry about so many little things, you actually missed the most important thing?

Joni Eareckson Tada is one of the most gracious and effective Christians in the world. She has lived with the results of a diving accident that broke her neck during her teen years. At 50 she continues to radiate Christ to a listening world. Joni is known by thousands of Christians, perhaps millions, through her books, radio program, and conference speaking.

Once my brother asked Joni how she made it through the difficult battle with her paraplegia. I later heard her give the same answer in a large conference in Orlando. Her reply will surprise you. "I suppose what helped me get through this more than any other thing" she said, "was reading Loraine Beottner's Reformed Doctrine of Predestination."

Now that caught you off guard, didn't it?

• Work progresses on the Zambian publication of a new book Jim has written called Pursuing God, A Seeker’s Guide. This is a simple set of instructions to those who have some desire to know God. Please pray for the final details to work out.
• A recent trip to Massachusetts almost left Jim stranded during a major snowstorm. The church in Winchendon welcomed Jim’s messages and responded with enthusiasm and conviction. Jim preached in Sioux City, Nebraska this Saturday and Sunday to a church start that is making a difference in their community. The church invited a good number of persons who were not believers to the Holiday Inn for a great meal and a message by Jim explaining the way to God.
• Jim is leading a weekly men’s Bible study at the Crackerbarrel restaurant in Liberty each week. If all goes well, the subject for the next few weeks will be the Incomparable Wrath of God, or “Does God Love Saddam Hussein?” Sound interesting? If you are in the KC area, come and join us. Details on the web site under KC Events.
• Next week Jim travels to Pennsylvania for the annual Bunyan Conference where he will address pastors on the subject of Childhood Conversion.
• It might be helpful for some of you to look over the new “Published Book Reviews” section on our web site. These are critical reviews Jim has written mainly for Reformation and Revival Journal. Jim just finished a new review on The Imperative of Preaching by John Carrick. This review will be in the new Midwestern Seminary Journal and will show up on the web site sometime after.
• Benjamin (16), Bryan (13), and Laura (11), are all doing well, especially since the Royals won their opener. They’re “casting a wishful eye” on the summer break since their studies have been quite intense this year.
• Most people “live lives of quiet desperation,” said Thoreau. He didn’t provide a workable solution to that, but we are thrilled to be in the business of solving that problem through CCW. Thanks for your interest in this work. We expect the best is yet to come!