Always remember that God lives within you, and if you live according to His will, He will help you to continue doing what matters most to Him: striving for perfection
Knowing that being rewarded with a free absence excites college kids, I offered my creative writing class a chance to compete for one. In their essays, they must describe Heaven, and in keeping with the class curriculum, be creative.
“Professor Reed, will this contest offend the King of Heaven, even if we write about subjects more in line with earthly activities?” someone asked.
“Of course we hope not, but remember: Because that King blessed us with creative abilities, He shouldn’t mind. In fact, He may chuckle when He listens while they are read. Contest on — class dismissed.”
In the next meeting, the kids used secret ballots to choose the top three. In third place, a boy described Heaven as a fisherman’s paradise, where anglers never leave the lake with empty stringers.
In second place, a girl preparing to be a master chef described Heaven as a fully equipped kitchen, its cupboards filled to overflowing with every ingredient needed to prepare gourmet feasts.
Another girl’s essay got the most votes. A note at its top asked that her classmates be told the essay was purely a creative concept, not meant to reflect her true Christian views about Heaven.
In summary her work, entitled “Heaven Is Like School,” read: “Students who strive to get the most from school graduate and enter chosen careers. Those who don’t must repeat grades. While many who failed forego acquiring an education, others study hard, earn diplomas, and become productive members of society.
“On Judgment Day, when everyone stands before the Lord, He will peruse report cards, send some back to earth to repeat grades, and reward others with eternal life. Sadly, some who failed continue making poor choices, and depending on how badly they conduct their lives, may end up in a place that is Heaven’s exact opposite: Hell.” The class applauded, and the young writer received a free absence.
In a conversation with Jaybird, my best friend and mentor while growing up on Dad’s Mississippi Delta farm, I had a discussion on the same topic I chose for my class. Looking me in the eye as he always did when preparing to teach another invaluable life lesson, he began, “Let me tell you what I expect on Judgment Day. When God asks how well I used the gifts He gave me, I will lift empty hands and say what He already knows: I did my best to use all that You gave me, Father.
“My son, I taught you to recite the Lord’s Prayer each morning and night. Think about the part that says, ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’ Regardless of what our God-given gifts are, we must use them to the fullest of our ability; we must accept them with a grateful heart, and never be envious of His gifts to others.
“Finally, always remember that God lives within you, and if you live according to His will, He will help you to continue doing what matters most to Him: striving for perfection.”
Jimmy Reed is an Oxford, Mississippi resident, Ole Miss and Delta State University alumnus, Vietnam Era Army Veteran, former Mississippi Delta cotton farmer and ginner, author, and retired college teacher.
This story is a selection from Jimmy Reed’s latest book, entitled The Jaybird Tales.
Copies, including personalized autographs, can be reserved by notifying the author via email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).
