I have told this story quite a few times on various teachings, but someone recently typed it up from the Transition series and sent me a copy. I have never seen it in print. It is not original to me, and if I knew who came up with this joke, I’d sure give them credit. But it makes a wonderful point nonetheless…
A member of the clergy arrives in heaven and is greeted at the gate by Peter, Jesus’ disciple. “Well hi, how are you?”
“Fine,” the man answered. “Do I just walk in?”
“That depends,” Peter answered. “How many points you got?”
“Points? What points?”
“You know, points for doing good things.”
The man didn’t look too concerned. “I’ve done a lot of good things,” the man answered.
“So, how many points do you have?”
“I have no idea. How many points do I need?”
“You need one hundred points to get in,” Peter answers.
“One hundred points? Is that all? That shouldn’t be too tough. I worked at the soup kitchen for 20 years will that…?”
“Certainly. I can give you a point for that.” Peter answered.
“A point for each time?” the man asked hopeful.
“No, a point for the whole thing.” Peter seemed a bit preturbed.
“Only a point?” The man was shocked. “Well, I was a pastor for 40 years.”
“Hmmm,” Peter thought a moment. “I guess I can give you a point for that too.
The man was dumbfounded. How could he possibly get enough points at this rate? While he was thinking of enough ways to get points, a businessman that he knew while on earth walked by, waving at Peter. “Hi, Pete. How are you doing?”
Peter waved back with a smile. “I’m doing great. Enjoy yourself.” And with that the man just walked through the gates.
The cleric looked confused and turned to Peter. “You mean that guy has a hundred points?”
“That guy?” Peter asked pointing over his shoulder. “He’s not playing this game.”
This is great. I just read this blog today, but the day you posted this was the day I first heard it on the Transitions series. Too cool. I am on part 6 of the series and it is reinforcing lots of things I’ve been feeling and also opening my eyes to new things as well. Thanks Wayne!
This is great. I just read this blog today, but the day you posted this was the day I first heard it on the Transitions series. Too cool. I am on part 6 of the series and it is reinforcing lots of things I’ve been feeling and also opening my eyes to new things as well. Thanks Wayne!
That’s a good one. Getting out of the game is essential to move forward again. I’ve moved outside of religion, discovered Jesus in fresh ways, and it’s been very good. Yet it’s always the internalized habit of “the game” that reaches out to stop me in my tracks. Have you ever seen someone who fidgets constantly — who is always grabbing nearby objects and working with them? I need to constantly and consciously empty my hands of projects and efforts that I’ve picked up without thinking about it and submit myself freely and joyfully to Jesus.
That’s a good one. Getting out of the game is essential to move forward again. I’ve moved outside of religion, discovered Jesus in fresh ways, and it’s been very good. Yet it’s always the internalized habit of “the game” that reaches out to stop me in my tracks. Have you ever seen someone who fidgets constantly — who is always grabbing nearby objects and working with them? I need to constantly and consciously empty my hands of projects and efforts that I’ve picked up without thinking about it and submit myself freely and joyfully to Jesus.