PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN Life Style
Chaplain’s Corner Insignificant 8.2 billion. We throw around “billions” so much these days that the
much will those great-grandchildren miss us when we’re gone? After some years, we will mostly be a picture they have amassed among hundreds of others. Even those whose names are well-known now will eventually fade into the ever-distant past. In time, they too will become largely insignificant. I recently heard a great song about the repentant criminal on the cross next to Jesus. The one who, during the several hours of unspeakable dying, realized that Jesus was not only an innocent man, but the promised Jewish Messiah. Crucifixion was not only perhaps the most horrifically painful way of dying, but it was also the most humiliating and shameful. Hanging for hours naked before a few gawking onlookers, family members were rarely present. They were too embarrassed. This would undoubtedly be true of both the criminals on each side of Jesus. Each of them died alone. We don’t even know their names. They were insignificant. Well, not both. The criminal who recognized Jesus as the Messianic King made a crucial decision. He would pledge his soul to Jesus in an act of consecrated faith. He professed to Jesus, saying, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom” (Luke 23:42). He received a startling reply. Jesus responded with, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
number itself has lost its overwhelmingness. One-billion-one-dollar bills stacked on top of
each other would reach 68 miles high! If you had a billion dollars to spend over 50 years, you would have to spend $55,000 every day. Imagine getting up every single day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, and having to go out and spend $55,000 …for 50 years! Might be fun initially, but it would soon get exhausting. Yep, I hear you. You would love to have the opportunity anyway. But one billion is a lot. The 8.2 billion is the approximate population of the world. And you are one of the 8.2 billion. Just one. Only one. And the chances are you are not a familiar one. Not a movie, television, or music celebrity. Not an athletic celebrity. Not a super wealthy, famous person. Not a followed author. Not a published intellectual. Not a politician whose name is in the news. Not a historical character. Now you may be loved. Very loved. And you may have a large family. Maybe you have a decent group of friends on a social media site. But if you are a senior, like me, that group of friends is getting a lot smaller. And how
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