Out in Hawaii on vacation visiting my son was a lot of fun, but also a little bit of work. He manages/directs a Christian conference center on the west side of Oahu. When we go, we stay on the grounds… for free. Well, not totally free. We have to do a work project while there at the conference center. We have cleaned, put down flooring, trimmed trees, ran weed eaters and various other maintenance projects. This trip we cleaned out a duplex, replaced air conditioners (window units), and moved some stuff out of storage and other stuff into storage. But, there was another job for which I actually volunteered. The center bought a new lawn mower, and I was dying to try out.
Now, I know I have made it known how much I hate to mow. And I did mention that the new zero turn mowers almost make it enjoyable (ALMOST). But, this mower was the Cadillac of ZTR mowers. It has less than 20 hours on it, so it is virtually still brand new.
The mower was a Stihl (made by Ferris). It has a 60” mowing deck with a 28 horsepower motor. Climbing on the mower and sitting in the seat was like sitting in my recliner. There is a nice soft, comfortable seat that just forms around you as you sit down. The controls are all right within your reach. The steering is super sensitive making operating a breeze. But the best part was the suspension (I know, a mower with shocks!). It has a four-wheel independent suspension. Yep, each wheel has a shock absorber with a spring around it. It was like mowing on a cloud!
Mowing for me is usually not a pleasant ordeal. But with this mower you don’t feel every gopher hole, bump, or stretch of uneven ground. With the large engine, you can move quite swiftly and still remain in the seat (meaning you don’t get bounced out). The whole experience was quite delightful!
Then Corey told me what the center had paid for the mower, and my heart sank…after the sticker shock wore off. It is a certainty that I will not be owning a mower like this in my lifetime. It cost more than my pickup! I think I will continue with my Hustler mower. But, wow, it was quite an experience just to get to mow with something like that.
As I was mowing I was enjoying the mower as well as the view, a 100+ year old plantation house sitting on the coast of Hawaii with the ocean in eyesight, I began to think. How did I ever end up in Hawaii mowing on a piece of equipment that is totally out of my price range? (Evidently when you are mowing and as comfortable as I was, you have the ability to day dream). I began thinking about Heaven and my relationship with God and Jesus.
My mowing on that particular machine was not for anything that I had done. I did not own it nor would I ever be able to own it, but I knew the owner. And the owner let me use it and get the enjoyment of using it (and it was awesome). That will be Heaven someday.
One day I will find myself in Heaven at death or the second coming of Jesus. I will be enjoying all of the perks of Heaven. You know, no more death or dying, no more pain, streets of gold, perfect climatic conditions, never getting tired, no more killing or violence, work as we know it now will cease, and there is so much more. All my friends and family that were believers will be there, and best of all Jesus will be there!
And, as believers, we will not be there because we earned it or deserve it. We will never be able to buy our way there even with all the money in the world. No, we will be there and enjoy it because of someone we know…JESUS! I got to mow with a Cadillac mower because I knew someone, and I will be in heaven because I know someone. Pretty cool in my opinion.
I got to go to a tropical island and mow on a century old plantation property, and I will get to spend an eternity in Heaven someday…all because I know the right person. I have to ask, will you get that same opportunity for all of eternity? Do you know Jesus or just of Him? Make time and begin a personal relationship with Him today (Romans 10:9 & John 3:16).
Living the Dream, Bro. Tim
