I was twelve years old when I first encountered Stephen Leacock, and I have loved him ever since. Not in a romantic sort of way; that kind of love was reserved for Kirk Cameron alone. But, upon my premiere reading of his short story, "My Financial Career," I began to feel a special connection with the Canadian humorist. Naturally, therefore, when forced to choose a subject for my Canadian Literature research paper, I selected Mr. Leacock, and I have to tell you; the more I have gotten to know him, the stronger my feelings have become. I want to know him; I want to share my writing with him; I want to laugh with him, and spend a day fishing at the lake with him (his interest- not mine; I would just enjoy his company). The problem is, he has been dead since my father was in diapers (That was a long time ago). I will never have an opportunity to meet him, and my heart aches. I am not kidding around; my heart actually aches. That is not to say I would have even had the opportunity to meet him if indeed he were alive, but just knowing that it is not even possible makes me sort of sad. In any event, I want you to promise me that you will give him a chance. His short stories contain a delightful blend of insight and absurdity that you will love. You might not learn anything (although you could if you read his bestselling Political Science textbook), but you will probably laugh out loud, or at least crack a smile. I guarantee it.
Sometimes anger is unworthily directed. Sometimes the object is undeserving of such passion. Perhaps it is better sometimes just to shrug and to laugh, and to thank God you never wasted your time in the first place.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
~Galatians 6:7
The thing about "eternal life" is that it isn't just some concept we sort of believe in--some mystical prize to be paid out upon our exodus from earth. It sort of bothers me when people talk about the fire insurance we receive when we acceptJesusasour personal Saviour. Like, "Just wait; one day you will have eternal life in Heaven." The point of eternity is that it doesn't start and it doesn't finish. It just... is. When we receive Jesus, we get to graft in, and hook up with the life- this continual stream of LIFE. That is the life we should be living right now. It is the inheritance of all those who choose to give up their lives for His sake. If we are dead to ourselves, and yet we try to take back our lives, then it only makes sense that we should harvest death. But forsaking earthly passions and sowing into God can only bring us life. Abundant, eternal life. And the life we reap is more than worth the cost.
