Well, we just
got back yesterday from our mini-trip to the Amish area of Ohio. Did you know they have the largest Amish
population in North America? Anyway, though they still try to maintain the
simple life, worldly intrusions are seeping in.
They may use hydro for work sometimes and cellphones only for work as well. Also, they are allowed running shoes for work
in certain places. It’s odd to see
modern runners under the long dresses of the women working the restaurants, but
no more odd than seeing an Amish man answer his cell.
However, they
still utilize the one room schoolhouse, the church/ marriage/ funeral services
in area homes, and bicycles or picturesque buggies to get around. They don’t have electronic gadgets around the
house, so entertainment is usually the family together time sort, whether at
home, while visiting or at area attractions, events or shops. Many also enjoy various sports. Although they do more tasks manually than us,
there is much relationship building during this time as many tasks are shared.
Their faces
are far less stressed than the average person, and there is a settled peace
about them that makes me think their ways might be better… but I don’t like living
without music and buggies take too long!
They believe this is the way they are called to live under our gracious
Lord God. One day I hope to speak at
length to a few and find out just what the spiritual side of their life is like
more specifically, but for now, I marvel at the simple life (their words) that seems to be much
more tranquil.
In the end,
it is how we follow God, whether as Amish or non-Amish, Baptist, Pentecostal,
Lutheran, Brethren or Catholic that will determine what happens at the end of
our life. If we do not rely on salvation
through Jesus Christ and follow Him then our eternity will be in a place of
torment (Lk. 16:23) of the worse
kind*. If we do follow Jesus Christ and
His ways, then an eternity with Him is in our future. But before that eternity is the Judgment seat
of Christ (Rm. 14:10; 2Cr. 5:10).
So then each one of us will give account concerning
himself to God. Rm. 14:12
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, so that each one may receive the things done
through the body, according to that which he has done, whether good or bad. 2Cr.
5:10
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with
every secret thing, whether it is good,
or whether evil. Ec. 12:14
In the end,
it doesn’t matter if we lead a simple life or a crazy, stressed one, but only
that our hearts and lives are the Lord’s to lead and we honour God in what we
say and do for we will all be held accountable (1Cr. 3:11-15; Mt. 12:36). According to my source in the Amish area, one CAN become Amish later in life, so go for it if you like that kind of less
stressful life. I’m thinking, it wouldn’t
work for me.
Lord, help me to be just like You because that is what I
strive for…
In this is our love made perfect,
that we may have boldness in the day of judgment,
that as He is, so also we are in this world.
1Jh. 4:17
*darkness (Jude 1:13);
smoke (Rv. 14:11); fire (Rv. 20:15; Mr. 9:44);
chains (Jude 1:6) –bad angels-;
wailing (Mt. 22:13); worms (Is.
66:24);
no rest (Rv. 14:11)