By Todd Barrier

When I was growing up, I really loved watching pro wrestling. I had my favorites like Hulk Hogan, Bret “The Hitman” Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. When I was really young, I thought it was all absolutely real. As I got older, I still was drawn in as if it was real but I knew it was predetermined. The physicality may have been real but you pretty much knew the outcomes.

I think it’s kind of the reverse in our walk with God. As a child you may look at it as something that’s not as real as everything around you – just stories. As you grow older and see the evidence and come into faith on your own, you realize the realness of a relationship with God. Even though our outcome isn’t predetermined, God has already determined how to come into a relationship with Him that will last forever.

The Bible tells us exactly what we need to do, the gospel teaches us how it was accomplished. The only question becomes is it real enough to us to put in the effort to go through what God has instructed us to do? Is a relationship with God real enough to you to work toward heaven?