We all like stories and love jokes. Almost all.

I’m really hard-pressed to say which is the best-ever funny story I’ve ever read or heard.

But among American stories, this one exaggerates better than most:

“Ed was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was really mad. She told him: ‘Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from zero to 200 in six seconds, and it better be there!’

The next morning, Ed got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up, she looked out the window, and sure enough, there was a medium-sized gift-wrapped box in the middle of the driveway.

Confused, the wife put on her bathrobe, ran out to the driveway and brought the box back into the house.

She opened it and found a brand-new bathroom scale.

Funeral services for Ed have been scheduled for Friday.”

Now, did Ed know how close his jocular sense of humour and cavalier outlook on life and marriage brought him into his ultimate transition?

Okay, “die happy” is an acceptable bargain plea.

Life is full of transitions. From the time we arrive till we depart, we go from one phase to the next, sometimes prepared but often kicking and screaming.

I recall a youth who defiantly declared: “I never asked to be born.”

Poor fellow, he was like a student enrolled for the Maths Olympiad without his permission or agreement.

Involuntary, inescapable

But like it or not, here we are: On a journey.

By the time we are in primary school, we realise: “There has to be more to life than this.”

There is something bigger than us and either we accept its inevitability and feel like cogs in the big wheels of life, or we can, with increasing intent and delight, discover our purpose (or destiny or calling) in life.

Along the way, we undergo changes also known as phases or transitions.

Those living in temperate zones enjoy the four seasons. Each year, the changes and progress are marked clearly by the annual climatic cycles. Others have ethnic or religious days to commemorate the passing of time, relentlessly but efficiently.

Life goes on. If that is true, then we need to ask: “Where does it go on to?”

Which brings me to one of the most odd promises in the Bible: “I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny” (Matthew 5:26). It sounds more like a threat. Stay in prison for the full duration. No “Get out of jail” free pass.

The promised beauty of a bride

But as Oswald Chambers well explained: “There is no heaven that has a little corner of hell in it.

“God is determined to make you pure, holy, and right, and He will not allow you to escape from the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit for even one moment.

“He urged you to come to judgment immediately when He convicted you, but you did not obey.”

This verse serves to deliver the promise of God that ultimately He wants us to be pure, spotless and undefiled!

A beautiful bride for the glorious Groom.

And so just as silver is refined seven times for it to be perfected, so He takes us to the cleaners (so to speak), that we can be truly fit to enjoy fully His eternal presence.

Fasten your seat belts. Enjoy the ride.

Looking back, you will. So why not enjoy while going through it?