The Lindsey Seufferlein's of the World

I promised Lindsey Seufferlein I would write about her today. So Lindsey, here's your 15 seconds of blog fame ..................................

Some of you know Lindsey. She is a beautiful, smart young woman of 15 who is afraid to drive, loves reading, and was fortunate to be born into a gifted family of intellectual heavyweights. I know Lindsey because she was six or seven years old when her parents moved to Cedar Rapids to minister to a local church.

Several years ago Lindsey professed her faith in Christ and was baptized. Her mom reminded me last night about a book Lindsey carried around with her afterwards where people could record their spiritual words of wisdom to her. I can't honestly remember what I wrote, nothing too profound, I'm sure. But here's what I would say to Lindsey today, and to all the Lindsey Seufferlein's of the world.

Your most important life decision is one that you've already made -- to marry Jesus. College, marriage, kids and career will all be future events of note, but all are less significant than marriage to the Savior.

But now that you've been "born again," how are you "working out" your salvation?

The New Testament writer Paul addressed the issue to the baby Christians in Philippi 1900 years ago.

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed -- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence -- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

What is there to "work out" once you have been saved? The deal is sealed, right?

Right! The deal is sealed if the "deal" is simply your fire insurance policy. But how about the rest ... God working in you to will and act according to His good purpose?

In the life of every Christian there should be a healthy sense of fear and trembling. Do you realize your value to the creator of the universe, the One who set the stars in their place and knit you together in the womb? The Savior who spared you has plans for you!

The game of life is no longer a choice between the wide road and the narrow road -- you ARE on the narrow road to eternal life. Now the game consists of what you're going to do along the way. That's where the fear and trembling come in. What winding turns exist on your God-ordained yellow brick road to eternity? What monkeye forest is God going to send you through? Which poppy fields are going to challenge your stamina? How many scarecrows are you going to encounter that point north one minute and south the very next.

Sooner or later God is going to ask you to make some hard choices about what you're willing to do for Him. There will be fear and trembling, as you consider the possibilities of what God wants to do with your life. As you fear (honor and respect) Him, you will make bold decisions you aren't even creative enough to imagine. Trembling will come as you see the responsibility that God will give you in increasing measure.

Lindsey (and all) ... You are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for you to do. (Ephesians 2:10). You're 15 ... or 35, or 75. There is no statute of limitations on working out your salvation. Plead with God to show you the next quarter mile of your road. Pray for a glimpse of the good works that God has all ready for you. Prepare for the occasions when God says "Go" and every fiber of your flesh wants to shout "No!"

You, Lindsey Seufferlein, are special. We all are. We've been purchased with currency too precious to fully understand this side of Oz. Let's live like it, in the humble presence of our King.