Recently, Clif and I had an appointment at a location in one of the thousands of office structures that dot the city of Atlanta. After following the instructions of our mobile GPS, we pulled into the correct address, and headed toward the towering building. After a quick check of the directory, we stepped into the centrally located elevator, turned around to watch the doors close, and selected the button for the 8th floor.
As we waited for the smooth ride to our destination, Clif told me about a new style of elevator that’s being installed in many high-rises around our city. These kind are equipped with a keypad located outside the elevator car, and require passengers to select the floor they want to go to before entering the elevator. Once inside the car, there are no buttons, and except for an emergency telephone, there are no controls at all. If you change your mind about where you want to go, you’re out of luck! You are going to the floor you pre-selected whether you actually want to go there or not!
You know, life beyond this one is a lot like that. A lot of times through willful decisions, neglect or apathy on this side of life, people choose a destination that they don’t really intend on going. The well-lit buttons of pleasure, pride, self-fulfillment, popularity, and of atheism or other world religions attract attention and frequently outshine the options of obedience, faith and commitment to Jesus Christ. Being lulled into complacency by the passage of time, they wait too long, not realizing that the nature of sin has pre-selected the destination for all of us. (Rom. 3:23) Unless we deliberately select the only other option (salvation through Christ), we’ll find that once the doors of death close, we are on a rapid and irreversible ride to eternal separation from God.
But the good news is that God didn’t leave us on this unalterable trip to destruction and pain. Ephesians 2:4 reminds us that we have a God who overflows with love toward us and is full of mercy and grace. It’s because of His compassion and great heart of concern for our situation that He sent Jesus Christ to pay our penalty for sin and give us the glorious option of restoration, wholeness and eternal life with Him.
That’s why the time for a decision is now. You need to clear away distractions, and make a sober and definitive choice. See the future for what it is. Select where you are going before you step through the doorway of death.
Two buttons.
Two choices.
Death or life.
Separation or Restoration.
And remember that no matter how wealthy eloquent or influential you are, you can’t change your condition by yourself. Changing destinations only happens through belief in Christ’s work on our behalf.
Here is His promise:
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
John 11:25-26
Am happy , i now know the elevator leading to Christ Jesus.
Thanks for this post Karen. It spoke volumes to me. Choices are very important in life and we have only one life and what is done for the Lord will last.
It’s so easy to get sidetracked and distracted by things that don’t matter. That’s why Paul urged us to set our minds on things above, not earthly things. (Col 3:1-2) Appreciate your reading and adding your thoughts!
Interesting analogy. Really makes you think about how to be mindful about our choices in this life.
Really good! “That’s why the time for a decision is now… Select where you are going before you step through the doorway of death.” Thank you Karen!
Very good, simple and easy to understand gospel message.
Thank you Karen for this article, I really appreciated your thoughts and the grace of God in our failures
I love the elevator analogy…so true how we miss our stop with Jesus because it is too hard or not fun to be obedient and faithful. Thanks for sharing on Talk It Up Thursday!
So many things distract us in this world. We have to focus in on the ONE thing that really matters! Thanks Michelle!
Oh, Karen. Perfect analogy! This is an easy to understand salvation message. I’ve heard of those elevators from my brother. He puts in sprinklers for new buildings in the Atlanta area. There is no way I would like being on one because I like my options to get off on a different floor. Thanks for sharing with Thankful Thursdays.
Thanks for hosting Thankful Thursdays, Lori. Always a pleasure to stop by!
I’m not sure if I’m a fan of that sort of elevator. Being able to change my mind mid-journey is one of my (many) foibles!
We’ve been on those types of elevators before, (and I do not like them), but what a powerful analogy for our need to choose eternal life here and now!
I’m dating myself, but I can remember getting on an elevator when there were Elevator Operators. They would ask you what floor? Then as the elevator would ascend (or descend), they would announce the floors: 2nd Floor, Lingerie, 3rd Floor, Household Furnishings, 4th Floor Women’s Clothing….and the BASEMENT? Overstock, Damaged Products, Discontinued…! There must be an analogy here! As believers in Christ, should we not be like the “elevator operator” and ask people about which floor they think their on? Another great POST Karen!
Oh wow. I haven’t heard of that kind of elevator. I’m not sure if I like that or not! ha. I suppose it’s supposed to be more efficient, but time will tell if people will like it or not. So grateful that Christ is our perfect elevator operator! 🙂
Hi, Karen. I love this post. Wonderful analogy. I pray that someone searching for truth will find your post!
Thanks Kelly! That’s my prayer too! Blessings to you and thanks for stopping by!
First of all yikes! I am not going on those elevators! Secondly, I love how you have woven these together. I lived in fear for years, of not being good enough for anyone and God included -though I grew up in church. Expectations, others and my own finally got to me. I am so glad God is the Alpha and Omega, and He isn’t intimidated by our messy journey as we find our way to Him. Thanks for sharing this!
Your neighbor @ #IntentionalTuesday
Wonderful post!
I loved this analogy comparing the new style of elevators to our choices in life.
Excellent word picture!
Thank you for sharing this edifying post!
Very well written and easy to understand. Your blogs are meaningful and I look forward to them each week.
You have given me a fine word-picture to go with your bottom-line message, Karen. I am grateful for a patient and forgiving God as I came to Him at age 45 and am now 68. I did not know I truly did need Him until then and am so glad I was introduced personally by my to-be husband and his mother. Yes, I grew up in a Christian home but the church we attended did not share the Jesus I now know. We must be the light in this world and introduce Jesus to all who will hear the Word, the Truth. Thank you.
You are right, Linda! we have to boldly share the Gospel… especially in these dark times. He is the only true Light that will lead people into freedom!
Love this so much!! Excellent!! And, now I’m curious to see a new elevator too =)
Thanks E! Appreciate the good words! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Beautifully illustrated! This is a perfect short and to the point witnessing post. It could even be turned into a Bible tract 😉 Thank you Karen, for sharing your God-given and Spirit-led talent. Your writings are relevant, engaging, and from the heart. Blessings!
Thanks for the encouragement, Joe! Appreciate you reading and commenting! Praying that God directs it into the hands of someone who through it will carefully reconsider his/her eternal condition.