Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Loudest Cheer

I just got my "Christianity Today" magazine the other day & if you have it, you'll know what I'm talking about...

There was an article written by Kay Warren called "The Loudest Cheers in Heaven - One day God's invisible heroes will gain due respect"

I have to sum up a part of this to share...

This writer was in an airport & noticed a big crowd of people who had flags & were waving them & passing them out - signs everywhere - people waiting! They joined the crowd since they had time until their plane took off. Soon, soldiers were returning home - young, old, men & women. Families were cheering, strangers were cheering - everyone was there to show they were so grateful for these people & the work that they do.

The woman & her friend then thought about how it will be in Heaven.

One even said that if she made it to Heaven first, ".... I'll be on your welcoming committee - I'll be jumping up & down screaming "You made it! I'm so proud of you"

The friend said if she made it first "... I'll be at the head of the line to greet you!"

(The rest I'll just quote from the article because it is amazing & I dont want to do it unjustice)

All of us fight unseen battles every day, each believer a secret soldier locked in battle with forces no one else can see. The bravest among us are not necessarily those who fight with guns or tanks. The bravest person you know might be your husband or wife or neighbor or coworker who goes on living one more day when every bone in his or her body says its no use.

How much courage & tenancity does it take to enter this hidden war zone every day when an unseen Enemy is whispering (or shouting) "Let it go; give it up! There is no hope for a better tomorrow"?

The loudest cheers in heaven's victory stands may not be reserved for the obvious heroes. they may go instead ot the young man who chose to face the crushing disappointments of life, or the person who learned to ignore his Enemy's taunts. The most applause might go to the woman who refused to surrender her joy to the evil forces that never stopped reminding her of her brokenness. (That line right there just makes me cry every time I read it... relate?)

The hidden battles often involve hand-to-hand combat & leave us exhausted. How much more bearable would this daily fight be if we knew we were not alone?

How much could we lighten the load for another just by telling him how brave we think he is? Oh, to be so merciful with fellow soldiers fighting their personal, hidden wars.

Best of all, how much better when we bring undisclosed struggles into community, where victories can be celebrated TOGETHER, great losses mourned TOGETHER, & where whoops of encouragement can provide even the most weary soldier the courage it takes to keep on keeping on, ONE MORE DAY

Keep being Brave!!!! You're going to have a crowd cheering the loudest cheers for you one day!

13 comments:

  1. That is so great! I am going to share this with my mom. She definitely falls into the category.
    Thank you!

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  2. That is a very touching article. I would love to see the cheering.

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  3. RJ,
    You don't know how much I needed this today. Thank you for sharing it!!!

    Love you friend,
    Dawn

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  4. I loved this! Wouldn't that be awesome to have a cheering section of your loved ones?

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  5. Wow, I loved this.
    Reminds me of a story of missionaries who served in Africa for years and won many, many souls for Christ. Once arriving back in the states after so many years of serving, there were no parades, no celebrations to welcome them and no greetings. The wife asked the husband why they were overlooked when coming home after serving Christ and doing so much work for him. He answered her, "We're not HOME yet!"

    I love that. Our home is in heaven and I believe there will be much cheering for the doers of the Word.

    Thank you for posting this!

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  6. You always find the way to bring us all up with your amazing posts! TY sweetie as always for making my day!

    XOXO

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  7. i'm tearing up at this. i love that vision. thanks for sharing this.

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