Is there an express lane in heaven?

I am currently reading the book "Forgiving Ararat" by Gita Nazareth. Well I'm actually reading two books the other is "American Gospel" by John Meacham, but that is for another blog since I amazingly enough I don't really feel like talking politics today. The central focus of Nazareth's book is the theme of justice and forgiveness. More specifically justice in heaven when we are judged by God. Justice. I for one am I big fan of it. It really bothers me to see people not follow the rules and "get away with things". One of these is the express lane at the grocery store or your favorite supercenter. You know the one that says 20 items or less. Side note since when is 20 items an express lane? As a kid I remember it being like 10 but any way I digress. Just the other day I was in the store with my wife about to checkout with somewhere in the range of 20 items probably a few over. So I did what in law abiding shopper would do I began counting my items to see if we was under the express lane limit of 20. One of the cashiers saw me counting and chuckled and said go ahead I didn't need to count. I thought to myself but I'm pretty sure I have over 20 items and what is the point of having an express lane if you let people go through it even if they have over 20 items. Where is the justice for the guy standing behind me with 10 items who legitimately has a right to this lane and should not be having to stand behind me with me 25 items?

This got me thinking and asking the question does God have an express lane for getting into heaven and how does he manage it? Does he really mean 20 items or less or is it a meaningless rule as it is in the supercenter? I mean I can honestly say that in my 33 years of life I have never seen anyone turned away from an express lane and told to take their 20 plus items to their rightful lane. I mean picture it your standing at the Pearly Supercenter you walked through the sliding doors and the nice older probably retired angel greets you "Hi welcome to the after life" You walk forward and see 25 checkout lanes in front of you and miraculously there is an angel attending each one. Definitely not I sight you saw in your earthly days. Unfortunately even with all the lanes properly attended there is still a bit of a build up and some long lines. You must have died on a Saturday afternoon or there is a chance of a couple inches of snow in South Heaven. You study the lanes to try and determine which will get you to your heavenly reward quickest and notice on the far end there is an express lane that says Regular Church Attenders (30 Sundays or more a year) You think to yourself great I am on the fast track to heaven. I attended church just about every Sunday. Its the express lane for me. Enjoy the wait back sliders. However when you get to your express lane you notice the line is still rather long. Man all of those studies about church attendance decline must have been wrong you think to yourself. While standing in line you over her some of the people in front of you state to the heavenly cashier that they didn't attend 30 Sundays a year maybe just 15. The Cashier chuckles and says there is really no need to count and lets the people through to their heavenly reward.
   At this point if it was me I would question whether my judgment had already been passed and I was in some type of terrible purgatory or worse. Did I mention I really don't like people who cheat on the express lane rules. But aren't we called to forgive? Shouldn't we forgive that person who is in front of us in the lane unjustly. If so does that mean that the presence of forgiveness means their is a absence of or lack of need for justice? If I truly forgive someone then there is no need for justice in my eyes because I have forgiven you therefore there is no need for a just punishment. How many terrible things have been done in the name of justice? The quest for justice can and usually does end up in a never ending cycle of escalating violence. You need to look no further than the turmoil in the Middle East than to see a real life example of this cycle of seeking justice.
   So the question of the day is can justice and forgiveness coexist on earth? In heaven? Or by forgiving do I relieve my self of the need for justice. Lets take the earthly realm first.  We on earth have been given free will by our creator therefore we must have rules in order to function as a society. Those rules bring with them a what society perceives as of right and wrong. Justice on earth therefore is unfortunately seen through the flawed eye of man. One person's justice is another person's injustice. We need the rules and laws during our time on earth in order to coexist but we must understand that they will be as imperfect as the humans who write them. Which is why during our human existence it is more important that we and seek forgiveness than justice. Our justice is flawed by our own imperfections but our ability to forgive is perfect. God on the other hand is mysterious and more perfect than we can ever understand. He is much more qualified and prepared to sit in judgment than any of us. It is for him to seek justice not us. We are called to forgive those who we perceive as unjust and comfort and care for those who suffer. So if God wants to chuckle and tell someone there is no need to count your items go ahead then I must have faith that he knows better than I.

       

Introduction to One View From the Pew

Hello world and welcome to One View from the Pew. This blog is meant to be my reflection on the Episcopal Church, spirituality, politics and just life in general. I am a cradle Episcopalian who was baptized, confirmed and married all within the same small Episcopal church. This small church now faces the same problem that the National Episcopal church faces. That is how do we change in order to grow while holding on to the traditions which we hold so dear. This issue is not limited to only the Episcopal Church but to all denominations. What does it mean to be Christian in today's world and how do we do Christ work in our society today. Why is church attendance declining in a time where people seem open to spiritual exploration? This blog will be my reflections on questions such as these revolving around life, the Episcopal Church, Christianity in general, politics and how they all mesh together in our society. It will be updated as time and inspiration allow. I hope that it will be entertaining and insightful for some but I make no promises of deep revelation. It is simply one lay person's view from a pew in God's true church that is life.