“HELL IS REAL”
At the end of June, my oldest child moved from Chicago to Indianapolis for her final graduate school clinical rotation. As we drove south on I65, past Merrillville, a large, wooden billboard stood out in a field. The white sign painted in black, block letters, read “HELL IS REAL.” We saw it at the same time. I laughed and said, “Welcome to Indiana. Hell is real.”
The next day, I thought about that sign. I wondered who had built it and whether it had caused anyone who traveled that highway to think about eternity or turn to Jesus. I hope so, but I’m more inclined to believe that most people dismiss the sign’s message about hell.
I imagined sneaking into that field at night with a can of paint and changing it. But, what would I change?
HELL IS REAL. JESUS IS REAL.
HELL IS REAL. GOD IS LOVE.
My husband suggested adding a second sign that read, “HEAVEN IS, TOO.”
WHAT IS REAL?
That billboard wasn’t fake news. Hell is real, but the message may have been posted to drive people to faith out of fear.
So, what’s the message about faith that I’d want to advertise on a billboard? What is faith in Jesus really about? Here’s my attempt at something important enough and short enough to post on a billboard–
JESUS IS ALIVE.
I celebrate Jesus. He transformed me. If I could point people to just one important idea about eternity or God as they drive down an Indiana interstate, then I’d say, “Jesus is alive.”
What about you? What would you post on that sign? I’d love to hear from you. You can connect with me here or on my Facebook page at “The Rooted Life.” If you sign up to receive my blog thoughts in your email inbox, I will send you chapter one of my new Bible study, Surrendered: Learning to Trust & Rest, free. The readings are styled into a daily devotional that take five minutes to read, and reflection questions are included if you want to go deeper. By the way, chapter one is all about Jesus. Stay rooted in Him.
