The Kingdom Land by Bart Tuma

he or she wants. Unfortunately, bad
decisions can kill you inside and out. Just as the motor will seize
up if not greased and oiled, a person will seize up inside if they
ignore God and go their own way.”
    â€œ But this manual is so big and so
complicated,” Erik said. “I’ve tried reading the Bible before and
there’s some weird stuff in it. People killing people and having
affairs and all sorts of stuff that just doesn’t make
sense.”
    â€œ You’ve read the Bible before. You
read it as a book. Now read it as your guide,” John encouraged.
“Start with the words of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The
Bible is God’s word and the words of Jesus and his disciples. Read
those words and see how simple Christ’s message really is. Don’t
dwell on any one verse, but read the Gospel and see how God’s plan
is to save and protect his children.
    At the same time, don’t quit asking questions of
people you can trust. You’ll need to rely on His word and His
servants. See, there is a true living God, but there is also a true
enemy who would like to fill your mind with doubts and lead you
away from the faith if he could. So find the Bible and people who
know Christ when you get confused.”
    â€œ But, there is one thought I can’t
seem to get past,” Erik steeled himself to ask his most painful
question. “How can the God that created the universe, who made the
stars and the oceans, care enough to come to me? I’m a nobody. My
parents didn’t even want me. Why would Jesus? I haven’t done
anything to earn His love.”
    John’s answer was firm. “First, I’m not sure about
your parents, but I do know about Jesus. Jesus does love you. It
shows how much he loves you by calling to you even if you don’t
deserve it. It says in the Bible that He called you by name. He
doesn’t just love all mankind. He loves you and who you are. His
love is not determined by what you’ve done, but by the depth of His
love for you. He created you and has one hope for you. He hopes
that you’ll be His child. He wants to love and be with you and help
you as you turn to His arms. That is the greatness of our God and
the depth of His love for you.”
    They both sat in silence. The sound of a crowded
restaurant continued around them; a waitress scolded the cook for
forgetting to put hash browns with the eggs, a lady’s high pitch
laugh told everyone the joke was great, and John and Erik
listened.
    John said, “What about your parents? It’s none of my
business, but you said you couldn’t measure up to your dad, and I
don’t understand what you meant, that your parents didn’t want
you.”
    â€œ My mom left when I was three and my
dad died in a car crash when I was eleven.”
    Once again the sound of the restaurant became obvious
and neither Erik nor John spoke. Erik surprised himself by bluntly
stating the facts. Suddenly the conversation had gone from the love
of God to the reality of Erik’s life. It took time for either of
them to speak. Erik knew John wanted him to continue, but Erik
couldn’t find the right words.
    â€œ I’m sorry. I was too busy giving my
sermon that I forgot about you,” were the only words John could
muster.
    â€œ Not much to ask about. As I said, I
live with my aunt and uncle, Henry and Mary Cooper. Not much
excitement there. They’ve gone to Fairfield Community for years.
You probably know them if you go to church.” Erik saw John nod in
acknowledgement.
    â€œ Yes, I know them. They’re great
people. I don’t go to Fairfield Community, but to New Life Center,
but that’s not important. What is important is you.”
    â€œ My mom left dad and me before I
could remember. I was about three. It took me years to find out
what happened. People don’t seem to want to trust me with the
truth. My good Christian Aunt Mary even lied