Reserved Seating

.​John 14:1-4
 
Reserved Seating
 
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1
 
The boys were excited. The swirling chatter in the back seat vacillated from frequently quoted movie lines, to projected line-ups, to strategic planning for obtaining the best signature. Our move from Arkansas to Florida had brought them to baseball heaven. March in the promise land produced a windfall of autographs for two baseball loving boys. With their favorite team playing less than a hour from home for an entire month, the prospects for prime signatures were almost more than they could bear. As we pulled into the parking lot, my heart began to sink.  I didn't expect this. Surely this many people could not be interested in watching the Rangers play? The boys tumbled out of the car with new baseballs and sharpies in hand. The knot in my stomach began to grow. What if we can't get in? What if the game is sold out? I gambled on being able to get tickets at the gate and it looked like we were going to lose that bet.
 
Uncertainty. It's unnerving. It causes our stomachs to lurch, our throats to constrict and our hearts to quiver. John 14:1-4 tells us to not let uncertainty throw us for a loop. Jesus instructs us to: "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me." Bottom line, don't worry. Don't let the unknown keep you from what you know. Trust God. Trust me.
 
Next, he says make a reservation. "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself that where I am you may be also." Heaven has plenty of room for us. We just need to book the room. We can travel through life with confidence because our future is secure. My family's baseball dilemma could have been avoided if I had purchased tickets before we left. Our seats would have been waiting for us no matter what time we got to the game.
 
Last, he says follow me. "And you know the way to where I am going." Navigating ballparks is easy. The rows and seats are labeled. Life is a little trickier. But, believe it or not, we actually know the way because Jesus is the Way. We can navigate through life's uncertainties by staying close to the one who knows us and the way we take. He IS our way.
 
Our day at the ballpark didn't end in a total disaster. We bought 4 tickets from a scalper at face value.  The boys scored a few autographs. And, it was the last time we went to a game without tickets.
 
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for making room for me in heaven. I don't want the uncertainties of life to throw me for a loop. I want my soul to be at rest knowing I have a place reserved with you for all eternity. 

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