Finding the basic necessities of life in Moscow in 1993 was a daily challenge and adventure. It was only about two years after the fall of the Iron Curtain, and supplies were scarce. I had recently arrived for a year of ministry with Russian school teachers, and was trying to set up my apartment. There were two things missionaries and other foreigners always discussed when they got together: where to get food, and where to find “stuff”. This had proven helpful for me.
On this particular chilly morning, I bundled up and had headed out by public bus across Moscow to a store that had been recommended to me. Upon my arrival, I was glad to find a good variety of cleaning products, including western-style brooms. Sure, the Russian people had brooms, and I often saw them outside sweeping the sidewalks. But the brooms they were using were basically some kind of twigs or branches tied together, and the handle was very short. It looked quite painful on their bent-over backs, and I was unsure of how “clean” my apartment floor would be after all the effort. I hadn’t seen any for sale anyway.
I happily paid for my western-style broom and some other products, musing, “Who would have thought that buying cleaning supplies would be such a joyful thing?” It made me appreciate how easy my life was in the U.S.
As I got on the bus to head home, I was thankful to find a place to stand near the side door. The seats were already full, and the bus was about to get fuller. At each stop, more and more stern-faced people got on, all bundled in their drab colored winter coats. As there was standing room only, people where holding onto the vertical metal polls inside the bus, as it jarred, swayed, and turned. Still, there were more stops and more people boarded.
The bus was now packed like sardines, and, one after another, hands began to reach out and grab onto my broom handle! They thought it was part of the bus!!! I had been holding onto it lightly, with my other hand holding a metal poll to keep myself standing. But now I gripped the broom handle with all my might. These people were depending on my broom to keep them upright!
We all sped along in stoic silence, except for the roar of the bus engine, and I prayed for strength to hold the broom, and for the souls and lives of the dear people around me. It wasn’t until we arrived at my stop and I moved to get off, that they realized what had happened. There was a moment of confusion, followed by very slight, embarrassed smiles as they let go of the broom and allowed me to pass. Although they didn’t show much emotion, I think we all found the situation a bit humorous. Perhaps they would later smile about it when they remembered. I know I did, and still do.
I am thankful that I was able to hold onto that broom handle tightly enough to help everyone keep their balance, but it did make me think. Holding onto something you think will help keep you safe is something we all do, usually without much thought. A hand rail on the stairs, perhaps, or a poll on the bus. Maybe a friend’s arm on a steep slope. And usually, that works out pretty well. But sometimes we need to be more careful. We would be wise to check to see if what we “hold onto” really will provide what we are hoping for. Maybe those old steps aren’t so safe. Maybe that rope isn’t as strong as we think. Sometimes, especially when it is important, we need to ask ourselves if what we are “holding onto” is truly strong and sure.
The most important time we need to ask this question is when thinking about where we will spend eternity. What are we “holding onto” for our “hope” of heaven?
I did not become a believer and follower of Jesus until I was nineteen years old. I had felt an “interest in God” from a young age, but I was not raised in a Christian home and spiritual issues were rarely discussed. I had a Bible that was given by an aunt, and I read some of it, but I didn’t truly understand who Jesus is and why He came. I tried to be a “good kid”, and hoped I’d go heaven, but I didn’t have any assurance.
There are so many different thoughts and beliefs about how one gets to heaven, but the Bible clearly states that there is only One True Way to heaven. His name is Jesus Christ. (See John 14:6; Acts 4:12) Because we do wrong things (“sin” is what the Bible calls it), we are separated from God forever. It is only through faith and trust in Christ, and what He did for us on the cross, dying to take the penalty for our sins, that we have eternal life. (See John 3:16-17) I realize this might be upsetting to hear for some people. I realize this sounds “exclusive”. That’s because it is. These are not my ideas or opinions; it is what the Word of God, the Bible, clearly says.
What About You?
What about you? What are you holding onto for your eternal destiny? Is it a sure thing? Is it THE sure thing? This is the most important question in the life of every person on earth. Do you understand what Christ has done for you? Do you understand that “faith alone” (i.e., you don’t have to try to earn your way with “good deeds”), “in Christ alone” is the true, sure and only way to heaven? Have you personally put your faith in Christ? If so, you will no longer need to “hope” that you are heaven bound. You can know for certain!