Weekly Blog

Something that struck me during the past couple of months since my surgeries, is that each of us have a responsibility of living our lives to the fullest. Some might hear that and automatically think: party time! Sorry, but that is not what I am referring to.

As a Christian, I believe God has created each of us and we are all unique in the gifts and talents we have. None of us is better than the person next to us, because God had a plan for all of us before we were even born. I realize that might seem extremely abstract to those who categorize "faith" as a non-entity but play along with me if you will.

I am a firm believer that God is trying to get our attention all the time but the issue, or problem, is that many of us aren't interested in what He has to say. I have pointed out previously that absolutely everyone of you reading this, practices faith every day of your lives. If you took time to consider the simplest aspect of your day, it probably involves a measure of faith. Sitting on a chair you have never sat on. Boarding a plane that will fly at 37,000 feet, with a pilot you don't know and mechanics you have never "used" before. How about the nice steak at the restaurant, where you don't know the chef and whether he might have poisoned or spit on your meal. Yuk! But how do you know? You trust that everyone knows what they are doing and that the chair will support you. That is called "faith".

You have never seen God and although you have heard that Jesus walked this earth, you never met Him. To many that automatically disqualifies Him as being real. The fact an entire book has been written about Him and the fact historically He is a real person and the fact the western world has their calendar based on his birth, death and resurrection, seems to make no difference to many. But what if?

What if Jesus really lived here for 33 years doing miracles and then dying and rising from the dead 3 days later? What if God really did create the heavens and the earth? What if you are no accident and that you were created for a purpose? What if there is eternal life after we leave this planet and the only way there is by accepting Jesus as your Saviour?

Drum roll for the jokes...all my drinking buddies will be in that other place. It is called hell and it is real. But why would a God that supposedly loves us, send anyone to hell to burn for eternity? Glad you asked.

Jesus doesn't force Himself on anyone. St. Paul's Cathedral in London, has a large painting in the sanctuary. "The Light Of The World" shows Jesus standing on one side of an old wooden door but noticeably missing, is the handle. The point being, we have to open the door to Him.


There in lies the only problem for mankind. It is a step of faith, acknowledging that I am a sinner in need of Jesus in my life. Acknowledging, despite all religious beliefs that salvation involves our "goodness", that we are lost without Him. People from all walks of life: pro-athletes, world leaders, scientists, truck drivers and retirees, have made that personal decision for centuries.

The beautiful thing about this post, is that nobody can accuse me of trying to get you to join my church. I do not lead a church and am not in church leadership anywhere. However, God has given me a few more years on this planet and I am going to do everything I can to help people find Jesus. You may feel your life is perfect or you might struggle with depression, anxiety or other health issues. You may have a great paying job or you may have no job at all right now. You may be in your 20's or 30's or living your final days on this earth. God loves you and is simply waiting for you to open that door and tell Him that you love Him.

Chaplain Hillar Alkok
hillaralkok@gmail.com

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