A Vignette into Salvation - The Rock: A Growing Subculture

Written by Davesa Fernandes

Pastor has given an altar call inviting people to come down to the front. Picking our belongings we dash out to the parking lot. Dodging through a maze of folks we escape into the tranquility of our minds. Rationalizing there are places to be and important tasks at hand. Driving out of the parking lot in comfortable cars we engage in lively discussions about the sermon. Whether the music enticed us to clap or about the person seated next to us. All is left behind in the warmth of Southern California’s sun blissfully unaware the best part of service is yet to come.

At church people are making their way to the altar with overwhelming emotion. Carrying with them hearts pierced by workings of “The invisible Man.” Aching for a fresh start, holding on to shattered dreams and unknown troubles they heed the altar call. Black, white, yellow and brown. Old, young, rich, and poor are seen standing at the foot of the cross. For a moment, can we recognize ourselves in these souls? Were we not once beggars at the cross of a wonderful Savior?

How many times have we applauded until our hands have ached? How many times were we one of the handfuls who kept on encouraging new believers into an everlasting eternity? Have such brave steps ever brought tears to our eyes?

Today I watched my new brothers and sisters come into God’s kingdom. My spirit awoke to a bright understanding. One of the deepest pleasures and joys we can experience beyond the kinship of intimacy with loved ones is that of “Salvation.” It connects us intimately with God’s purpose for us through this journey. Every time a lost soul is rescued, we are offered the implications of God’s goodness, sovereignty and love. Whether we catch a glimpse of this eternal transaction or not, it is up to us. Are we willing to wait and in the process and be part of an event never to be experienced again?

A celebration in which all heaven even the universe is engaged. A record indelibly marked into the history of ages past and ages to come. Planet earth is the only place we are given a phenomenal privilege to behold such a “Joy.” The Bible tells us, angels marvel at salvation for they don’t understand it! Yet we the sons of God are given an ability to comprehend the “joy of salvation.” Shall we take such a great gift for granted? For in the twinkling of an eye our privilege will be snatched away. No more will we have sense to behold the moving of God’s Spirit upon unworthy souls.

We will be flooded with light because God himself is with us. But how many have we brought to heaven on our short trip? Have we been good stewards of the gift God has entrusted to us? Indeed to witness the birth of a soul from darkness into light is a miracle by itself. Why then is it so easy for us to make light of this gift? When an epoch making era has ended will we be left empty handed? What will we say to our Creator on that fearsome day? What kinds of gifts shall we offer to the one who gave everything? And in the words of Jesus to His disciples during His final hours on earth, “Can you not stay awake for a moment and pray?”

Can we not stay for a moment longer and pray for the souls at the altar?