God is Holding Back the Curtain

Please, take a moment to consider these classic scenes that you might see in a movie and heed their meaning. Which is your favorite?

A director is holding back the curtain, urging his little actors to run onstage for their final bow. As they tip toe past, he notices one little girl who is struggling with tying her shoes. She forgot about the curtain call, and now she’s frantically trying to hurry. He waves his arm, “Come on! You can make it!” And as she leaps up, she sails past him onto the stage. Curtain sweeps down. Lights up. Applause.

A groom is standing at the airport terminal, pleading with the attendants. He knows his bride won’t stand him up. Something must have delayed her arrival. “Please – hold the plane for just a few more moments. This is supposed to be our honeymoon. I don’t know what happened, but she’ll be –” and in that moment, he spots her, clumsily racing toward the gate with her wedding gown hiked up in her arms. “I knew you’d come,” he says as they embrace. The terminal erupts into cheers as they disappear behind the door. The plane takes off to paradise.

A concerned teacher checks his clipboard one more time. The bus driver shakes his head. He has a schedule to keep. It’s his job to get 64 middle schoolers to Washington DC on time, and he can’t stall another minute longer. “Please, wait,” the teacher pleads. “Just a little more. There’s one boy who has it pretty hard, and he saved for months for this trip.” The driver calls out, “Look!” While the other parents had dropped off their children and hugged them goodbye, this boy was on his bike, pedaling for his life, with a large duffle bag attached to his back. The teacher beams. Once safely tucked inside, the bus door squeaks closed and rumbles ahead.

The conductor calls, “All aboard!” But the tall, rugged man paces restlessly. “Aren’t you getting on?” The man shakes his head. “Not yet. I can’t. Not without my brother.” He was traveling west, and his brother promised to join him on their adventure. After their parents died, they only had each other. He wasn’t about to take this journey alone, and yet he’d saved for a lifetime to afford this chance. “Please wait!” he shouts up to the conductor. “You have another passenger! One more!” He takes a step up, swinging out as far as he can. “There!” His brother, atop their neighbor’s horse, sweat pouring off of him and his ride. The conductor smiles as the young men board. The door slides shut, and the West-bound train puffs away.

The flames surround the crowd. They stumble over each other to reach the southside exit, their only way of escape. An alarm sounds, and the immense doors begin sliding shut. “No!” the lone man calls out. He pushes past the others and stands in the gap, using his body to hold open the passage to life. Teeth clenched and eyes shut tight, more bystanders tumble past to safety. “Come in! Shut the door!” the safe ones pleed. “We can’t stand the heat!” His back is aching from the pressure, but he hears a cry. “There’s still one more!” he gasps. Through the blackened smoke, a woman faints as she falls into the room. He rolls himself out of the way, and the doors slam shut.

My friends, God is holding back the curtain.

He’s waiting on the train. He’s keeping the door open, until all his sheep are safe. But like in the days of Noah, He will one day shut the door, and judgment will come.

Is he holding the curtain for you? Hear his heart. Heed his words, pleading for you. Bleeding for you. His love. His call. Don’t ignore Him another moment. He’s waiting, but one day, the door will close.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9, NIV

This blog was inspired by a recent sermon from my church, Traders Point Christian Church, by Pastor Aaron Brockett.