God is the greatest author of all

Someone told me a friend of theirs had a rather odd habit. This person loved reading novels but had a particular way of doing so. Instead of starting a new book at the beginning they would turn to the last few pages and read them. After this ultimate spoiler, they would flip back to the first page and enjoy the book all the way through.

Why did they do this? It was because they wanted assurances about how things would end. They hoped by knowing the end that they could read the book in an entirely different way.

So, for example, if there were any cliff hangers — when a central character’s life was in danger, as a reader, they would experience less angst. As such, they could put down the novel at any point in time. There was no longer the urge to read another 20 pages until there was a point of semi-resolution.

Should Christians do the same? We claim to know some things about “the end,” yet do we live our lives in light of what these “last pages” promise us?

I believe that there is “something more” after our earthly lives. I believe that there is an “afterlife.” I believe that there is a “heaven.”

I realize that my existence on this earth is limited. I believe God knows about my future death and when it will happen. I could die in a car accident, from disease, or natural causes at a ripe old age. My father is still alive at age 96, so this is one possibility for me, among many.

There is no mystery to this; I will die.

A greater mystery may be how life on this earth is lived. Does knowing God change things for us as pages and full chapters are turned? Do we live our lives trusting that God loves us, even if we may encounter accidents, disease, or our bodies failing in some manner; or do we insist on writing our own story? We make-believe that our faith in God assures a peaceful passing in our sleep at some distant time?

I strive to live my life knowing some things about the end but not all. It provides me with a little less angst.

As I see it, no matter what happens, God’s love is most certain — from that first page and well beyond the last.

Walter is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and has served as parish pastor for more than 25 years.