In the Holy Bible we read, "And I saw the dead, small & great, stand before GOD: and the were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works" (Revelation 20:12) This is the evidence that GOD keeps a record.Joshua Harris, a young man of Marryland, USA, was spending some time in Puerto Rico. One night he had a dream. He felt GOD had given him this dream as a reproof for a lack of faithfulness. This dream reminded him of the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ & His Blood. *We would like to share it with you.
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- THE ROOM -
In that place between wakefulness & dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small indexe-card files. They were like the ones in the libraries that list titles by auther or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it & began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.
And then without being told, I new exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big & small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.
A sence of wonder & curiousity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files & exploring their contents. Some brought joy & sweet momories; others a sense of shame & regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends I Have Betrade."
The titles ranged from the mundane to the out right weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Muttered under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes there were fewer than I hoped.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my twenty years to write each of these thousands, possibly millions, of cards? But each card confirms this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my own signature.
When I pulledout the file marked Songs I Have Listened To," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after 2 or 3 yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts" I felt a chill run through my body.
I pulled the file out only an inch, not not willing to test it's size, and drew out a card.
I shruddered at its detailed contents. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.
Suddenly I felt an almost animal rage. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to emty it & burn the cards. But as I took the file at one end & began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate & pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated & utterly helpless, I return the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, selfpity sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, most unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than 3 inches long fell into my hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomic & shook through me. I fell on my knees & cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-ful eyes. No one must ever know of this room. I must lock it up & hide the key.
But then as I pushed away my tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, any one but Jesus.
I watched helplessly as He began to open the files& read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seem to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?
Finally He turned & looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands & began to cry, again. He walked over & put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up & walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.
"No!" I shouted, rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But here it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.
He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile & continued to sign the cards.
I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file & walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
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Have you ever wondered how GOD looks your life? Jesus tells us, "That every idle word that man shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" {Matthew 12:36} If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit with sorrow & regret that we have failed in our thoughts & actions. We, too, will blush in shame for thoughts harbored & deeds committed in secret. The Bible says in Romans 2:16 that "GOD shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ," The Apostle Petter preached "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the time of refreshing shall come from the presences of the Lord" {Acts 3:19} Has Jesus blotted out your sins, or do they still haunt you today?
Would you like to be set free? Are the thoughts & actions of the past weighing you down? Our sins are a great weight on our hearts & lives. "If we say that we haveno sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" {1John 8:36}. {Psalms 51}
Come to Jesus now! Repent & confess your sins. "If we confess our sins, HE is faithful & just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" {1John1:9} Trust {in The Almighty GOD and} Jesus to lead you to a satisfying life with HIM. He will provide direction for your daily walk of life {with GOD}.
