My grandmother was a survivalist.
She lived on a small farm in western Kentucky. She and my grandfather raised pigs, butchered them, smoked the meat and lived off of it. She kept a garden that fed her family. Much of what was in her house…..she made. She got her water from a hand pumped well on her porch. She sharpened her knives on a rock in her yard. I have no doubt that she and my grandfather could have gotten by if the rest of the world vanished. She was an amazing woman. I’ve not met as capable of a human being since. In a small way, I too have some of her survivalist tendencies. I am trying to learn how to keep a garden. I store water and food so that my family can get by if the local groceries close down. I am negotiating with my wife over a few solar panels. But, at best, this is short term physical survivalism. The most committed “survivalist” can only survive physically for a year or so after the “doomsday scenario”. You have to ask yourself, “what’s the point?”
But there is more to it than that. It turns out that you can be a survivalist too.
I’m not talking about physical survival. None of us will survive physically. Physical survival is impossible. As Jim Morrison said, “no one gets out alive”. I am talking about spiritual survivalism. The Bible teaches that you have a physical body and you have a soul. There is no arguing about your physical body…….it will not survive. Your body is going to die. Your spirit…….your soul…..will live on. No matter how good or evil you are. Like it or not. Your soul will survive……forever. Sounds pretty good…….so far. But, to hijack a well-used metaphor, “The devil is in the details”. What will your experience look like after your physical death?
What sort of ecosystem will your soul live forever in? The Bible teaches that the home for our souls will be customized. I can’t address the details. But, I can say that the destination for your soul will fall into one of two categories…….really nice and really not nice.
Which brings me to the point.
Regarding the long term job placement for your soul, you have four options to choose from…..four belief systems:
I want the nice place and I will do what it takes to get there. I am a survivalist.
I can handle the not nice place…..heck, I might even enjoy it. I’ll live as I please…..for now. I’ll worry about the not nice place later. Maybe I can be a precinct chairperson in the not nice place. I too am a survivalist.
It’s all a big myth. When I die physically, the lights will go out and it will be over. I am not a survivalist.
I’ll just ignore the whole problem. I am not a survivalist
So…..how do you live your life? I doubt very seriously that you are planning to go to the place that is not nice. Even if it is only half as bad as the Bible says……it doesn’t sound like any fun. If you are a survivalist, then you plan ahead, you study the ground rules and you prepare yourself……spiritually. If you are not a survivalist, you live as you please. Be good if that is what turns your crank. Be evil if that gets you ahead. Either way, it doesn’t matter. When you die physically……it’s over.
So……..are you a survivalist……..a spiritual survivalist?
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus, telling us how to live. Matthew 6:19-21,ESV
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And 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.
Jesus, describing paradise. John 14:2-3, ESV
and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’
Jesus describing the experience of a man in hell, Luke 16: 23-24, ESV
She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
King Lemeul describing my grandmother, Proverbs 31: 10-31 ESV