Big Tex & Home

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.  Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 2 Corinthians 5:1-3

As many of you may have heard the Texas State Fair icon, Big Tex, burned this weekend at the State Fair.  If you have never heard of him he is a 58ft tall cowboy who wore a size 70 boot, 75 gallon cowboy hat, size 100 shirt, and size 284W/185L XXXXXL Dickies jeans. 

I admit it was kind of weird watching his hair go up in flames while he was still welcoming visitors to the State Fair with his usual booming voice “Howdeee Folks, Welcome to the State Fair of Texas.”  There was a comment in the paper where someone was walking by and saw smoke coming out of his shirt and commented that they didn’t know Big Tex smoked.  Well, he didn’t, he just had a short in his electrical wiring that caused the fire that burned up his 65 pound jeans.  Over the years he has had multiple mishaps where Hurricane Carla ripped his clothes and someone stole his shirt but he had 60 good years of waving to the crowd.

This morning I was watching the news and this is kind of weird.  A local church is going to hold a funeral for Big Tex.  Why is it that we place so much importance on inanimate things?  I understand that Big Tex is, well big.  I also understand that he has been around for 60 years.  The part I don’t understand is why you would want to have a funeral service for a metal frame since that is all that is left. 

Why do we place so much importance on things that don’t have heart and soul?  God created us as a living, breathing, walking, talking human being and we sometimes treat a metal, mechanical statue better than we do our fellow man.  It confuses me sometimes and it makes me think of home.  I don’t mean the house where I live.  I think about my heavenly home.  This is the place where there is no sorrow, no pain and where we will live forever. 

I read something in the book “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn.  He talks about heaven.  In it he says it is like on earth you are invited by a friend to a party and you get to the party and you enjoy good conversation, food and laughter.  Then the friend comes to you and says it is time to go home.  No one wants to leave a party early but you leave and head home.  When you get there you open the door and sense someone there.  You turn on the light and it is another party full of familiar faces.  There is a feast and you recognize people you haven’t seen in a long time and then you realize the party is for you.

Many times when we or family members are faced with terminal illnesses or imminent death we feel like the party is ending too soon.  We haven’t accomplished everything we want to here on earth.  What we miss is the real party hasn’t even started and the best party ever is on the other side. 

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I look forward to time spent with You in eternity.  Help remind me that this is not my true home, just a stopping place along the way.  I praise You for designing a new home for us to look forward to.  I don’t want to dwell on this earthly life that will eventually come to an end.

Scripture:  “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth.  The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.  But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.  Isaiah 65:16-18

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?  You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.  That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.  But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.  2 Peter 3:11-13