November 11, 2008

It?s Who You Know

During the Civil War, a young soldier walking over a battlefield came across a dear friend who was shot. His life was draining rapidly away. The soldier straightened out the shattered limb, washed the blood from his fallen comrade?s face, and made him as comfortable as possible under difficult circumstances. He then said he would stay with his friend as long as life was still there. Then he asked if there was anything more he might do. ?Yes,? replied the dying soldier, ?if you have a piece of paper, I will dictate a note to my father, and I think I can still sign it. My father is a prominent judge in the North, and if you take him this message he will help you.? The note read, ?Dear Father, I am dying on the battlefield; one of my best friends is helping me and has done his best for me. If he ever comes to you, be kind to him for your son Charlie?s sake.? Then with rapidly stiffening fingers, he signed his name. After the war, the young soldier in ragged uniform sought out the prominent judge. The servants refused to admit him because he looked like the many other tramps coming by for handouts. He made a ruckus and insisted he see the judge. Finally, hearing the commotion, the judge came out and read the note. He at first was convinced it was another beggar?s appeal. But he studied the signature, and even in its scribbled state he recognized it as his own son?s. He embraced the soldier, led him into his home, and said, with tears coursing down his cheeks, ?You can have anything that my money can buy, and everything that my influence can secure.? What brought about the sudden change in the judge?s attitude? It was the signature of his son, Charlie, affixed to the bottom of that note. It was the father-son relationship that made the difference. There is an old saying in our world: ?It?s not what you know, it?s who you know, that counts!? That same principle holds true in the spiritual realm. All the knowledge in the world will not help you as you approach your Heavenly Father, but your personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son, will open to you all kinds of possibilities! It?s not too late to make right that relationship with the Son, who will in turn provide you an access to the throne room of heaven! In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name (John 16:23). M Jer. 30-31; Ps. 79; Prov. 1; James 1-2

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