This week we are getting ready to make a journey to Canada. I am speaking at a youth rally up at Great Lakes Christian College (which is actually a high school) in Beamsville, Ontario. It should prove to be an interesting weekend.
As we have been preparing, our group has probably killed a few trees with all of the documentation we need to cross the border. Passport. Birth certificate. Photo ID. Parent consent letter. We need all of these forms just to cross an imaginary line from one parcel of land to another.
Every time I travel out of the US, I get a little nervous when it's time to deal with the CBP folks (CBP is another government acronym which stands for Customs and Border Protection.) I always breathe a sigh of relief when I am through that ordeal. Generally it goes smooth, but occasionally you get the extra questions. Then you never know what will happen. Full body search. Open your suitcase. You are at their mercy.
I am so glad that God doesn't work for the CBP. When you cross into His Kingdom there are no forms. He doesn't ask a bunch of questions. While He asks for commitment, He doesn't ask you to jump through a bunch of hoops.
I love the simplicity of the Christian message. Engaging in the Kingdom of God is about joining in God's dream for Creation. God doesn't want to keep you out. He wants to let you in. Everyone is welcome.
The flip side of that is true as well. God doesn't keep anyone in through coercion. God's grace and mercy does not function that way. He always has open arms waiting to welcome you in. And that is something I doubt you will ever see a CBP agent do.
shine!
Jason
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