“I got 90%,” I boasted to my parents.
My mother rejoiced with pride. My father smiled gently and said, “Shirley, what happened to the other 10%? What didn’t you know?”
He was right of course. If we face surgery for cancer, we don’t want a surgeon who believes 90% is good enough. I wouldn’t drive my car over a mountain pass knowing that the brakes work 90% of the time. And not one of us would go on a cruise that advertised a 90% success rate of getting home safely.
God is also not satisfied with 90%. Jesus tells of the shepherd who had ninety-nine of his one hundred sheep. That’s 99%. Yet he went hunting for the missing animal.
No matter how many Christians get into Heaven, God continues to search for those who are lost. It’s not enough for 90% of my friends and family to be in Heaven with me. God wants 100%! And so do I.
If you are a Christian today, others helped to bring you to the Lord. Do you remember to thank God for them? Even more important, who can you reach out to today?
Please visit Shirley through ShirleyCorder.com, where she encourages writers, or at RiseAndSoar.com, where she encourages those in the cancer valley. You can also meet with her on Twitter or FaceBook.
A powerful reminder, Shirl. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt seems so obvious, doesn't it Lisa? And yet we're so easily satisfied.
DeleteEspecially poignant after the dream that woke me this morning. A dear person in my past, my mother's generation, claimed always to be an agnostic. I remember the last phone conversation when I asked "Are you still claiming to be agnostic?" There was a short silence before the phone disconnected. I never knew the answer as death followed within a few months. Last night I dreamed of a reunion between us with strength and hugs and smiles. I hope that meant that we'd be reunited in heaven.
ReplyDeleteAnd here you are with the reminder that God is relentless in His pursuit of those He loves - those we love. Thank you so very much.
I do hope your dream was indeed a reassurance, and she was one of the missing sheep that He found and brought home, just in time.
DeleteWonderful post that I shared all over the place. Thank you Shirley
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine. It does put things into perspective when you think of a journey with only a 90% chance of getting home safely, doesn't it? Thanks for sharing. That makes a huge difference to the number of people who read the post.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! What a reminder. I will have to start working on my 10%...thank you Shirley
ReplyDeletePleasure Sue. I wish I felt I was achieving even 90% of what the Lord wants of me!
ReplyDelete