A Wonderful Secret

A strong-willed, rebellious son told his parents he was leaving home to go “have some real fun.” The times were perilous; the Great Depression had barely ended. He didn’t mind that he was leaving his father with no one to help him on their farm. He wanted to escape responsibility and live it up! He packed his bags, took a bag of food, and said his goodbyes. His mother gently handed him the Bible that was kept beside the kitchen table. Her precious, loving words were simple - “Great secrets to life are found within its pages.” He obliged reluctantly and roughly shoved it in his backpack. 

Three months passed without a word from him. But one afternoon a skinny, disheveled wanderer knocked on the front door. Their son was home, defeated. After a warm meal and a bath, he shared how he couldn’t find work, and he had no money to spend, and the people he met weren’t in a party mood, but serious about life. His mother asked if he sought out any of the Bible’s secrets to life that she had told him about. Without eye contact he simply replied, “No.” She asked to see the Bible which he retrieved for her. As she opened it, money was tucked between the pages that held precious promises, each promise underlined for him to easily find. If only he would’ve just looked! The Bible had all he needed and was looking for. But he refused. 

One of the best secrets we often overlook in our mentally stressed and easily distracted society is this, “But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will NOT all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown” (1 Corinthians 15:51, 52). How would we live differently if we knew we were immortal? I’m sure we would have more courage, and more joy! “What can man do unto me?” “Death where is your sting? Grave where is your victory?” What a refreshing and free way to live! 

Friends, we need to own these wonderful secrets. We are that final generation that will see His return, as the generation that sees Israel back in the land, in possession of Jerusalem (1967 war), “will not pass away but will see His return” (Matthew 24:34). Just reading this promise seems to put energy in our souls and joy in our weary hearts. He gave them to us for our encouragement. I wonder what other secrets can be found within those Sacred pages that are life changing?

(Devotional by Cheryl Hall-Laos)