I grew up in a town without stoplights, paved roads, or traffic jams. The only billboard was a painted wooden sign on the outskirts of town that read “Home of 200 nice people and a few old soreheads.” Life was simple. I stayed close to home and went hiking in our mountains or fishing in our stream with my dad. We didn’t need bottled water: we drank from a spring-fed well. I liked to collect pine nuts and my mom enjoyed picking gooseberries. The deer ate our hay; the bears ate our cat food. The tarantulas we caught made fun pets. My sister and I enjoyed playing “Little House on the Prairie.” We didn’t realize another way of life existed.

City dwellers are some of the hardest-working people I know. They are committed and dedicated—working hard to get to their jobs, enduring long commutes on hot days and rainy days. Not only that, they know how to play hard. They have great restaurants and zillions of choices when it comes to entertainment. They’re great at socializing—always attending a shower or a wedding or a party. They seem to have a knack for picking out the perfect gift or contributing the perfect dish for each event. They’re conscientious about fads and foods. They get an incredible amount of shopping and other errands done in a day. They are quite productive and they seem to be so fulfilled.

Traffic on the freeway creates an unwritten urgency. Everyone is out. You’ve got to get out too. You can’t fall behind. You have to get everything done.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “There is more to life than increasing its speed.” Are you as fulfilled as you appear? Do you sometimes feel like you’re spinning your wheels? Are you full of love, encouragement, and peace, or are you stressed out, weary with heavy loads? The Doorman to Heaven once said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Have you been introduced to the One who can give you rest—real, lasting peace—amidst life’s turmoil? Have you come to know the One who has the power to bring you fulfillment—a life of joy despite the challenges of this present age? Have you heard the One-who-can-love-you like-no-one-else calling your name?

Do you even believe the Doorman to Heaven exists? A friend once told me she didn’t believe in frogs. Shocked, I asked her, “Why?” She replied simply, “Because I have never seen one.” Have you been introduced to the Doorman? If not, I’d like to introduce you to Him.

Click here for a summary of the book The Doorman to Heaven and subscribe to feed to see future samples.