Zion Inc. was the name of the place. Paul had heard about it many times in passing. There were times when he had wondered if he was in the right job. Was he doing the right thing? Was the company he worked for really what he needed? Was there something better out there for him? He always felt just a bit unsettled. It was at those times, primarily, that someone, without fail, would bring up that familiar name.

    Zion Inc. was, truly, the company everyone wanted to work for. Those that worked there never even considered leaving. All the most current business magazines wrote it up as the best place to grow and nurture a career. Insiders described the work environment as extremely positive, well-balanced, fulfilling, encouraging, diverse, and full of respect. They told of how they were welcomed in, almost as though the company had waited for them since it was created. Each employee had their own office, designed specifically ahead of time, and customized for their very needs. The campus where it was built could hardly be imagined. Places for rest, places for recreation, places for deep thought and reflection, and of course, places to work.

People he knew would constantly talk about what it would be like to work there, and how their company could become more like Zion as well. Everyone knew, however, that there was one incredible requirement to get into this highly respected company. Everyone had only one chance to go before the CEO himself, who reviewed every potential employee, and only those that had a completely perfect resume would be considered. 

What kind of expectation was that? How could such a standard be met? But, there were no exceptions - a perfect resume was required!  Paul had known others who had begun the hiring process only to be turned away when the CEO found the smallest imperfection in their resume. However, they didn't seem to leave angry. They kept their dignity, were respected by almost everyone, and enjoyed a wonderful visit. Yet, almost everyone he knew that had decided to go before the CEO to defend their own personal record and achievements, had inevitably been turned away.

"So, how did anyone make the grade?" he thought. 

"There are people IN the company, so there must be SOME way to get in." 

Paul, in his determination to find out more about this company, decided to visit the campus. 

    Sure enough, it was no exaggeration to say that the campus was the most lavish, the most impressive, and the most peaceful workplace he had ever seen. He couldn't imagine actually coming HERE each day and calling it "work." He took a minute to look at the people in the company as they walked and talked with one another. There was something… just something…well… different about them and how they interacted. Different was definitely good in this case, but the difference was hard to put a finger on. Happy? No, it was more than just happy. Content? Nope. It fit, but not quite the word he was looking for. Maybe Joy. That might be it, but it seemed strange to use the word joy to describe people and their work for a company. There was something definitely appealing to all this. It seemed to draw Paul in, and he began to sense that this longing could not be filled by any other relationship. 

Like most of his friends, Paul was becoming keenly aware that he did not have the perfect resume. He had gone through a period, especially at the beginning of his career, when he didn't really know what it meant to be a "professional." He had made those common mistakes that everyone makes as they are learning the ropes, missing a few deadlines, challenging a few rules, misunderstanding a few priorities. But, he was sure that those were things that wouldn't count in his review since everyone did these things at one time or another. Looking back, he didn't have any big glaring problems. No embezzling, no harassment charges, or anything like that. He had, for sure, been more of an asset to his companies in the past than a problem. They would surely give him a good recommendation if they called to verify his references.

But, knowing that he only had one chance to meet with the CEO, he wanted to make sure all of his bases were covered. He had to talk to someone on the inside. He began looking for just the right person to ask a few questions. People were coming and going all around him. Everyone seemed to have a job, or something they were determined to get done. Paul didn't want to interrupt them, but he had to talk to someone. He decided on a man that seemed to be headed straight for him. 

"Excuse me, sir!" he said, with some hesitation, even though he tried to maintain the sound of confidence in his voice. The man he had approached was definitely on a mission, but he slowed down enough for Paul to ask a quick question. 

The man stopped, briefly, and answered simply "You're right, you know, about the résumés. But you need to understand that no one here met that standard on their own. Every single one of us learned that the key to gaining the approval of the CEO was to meet and trust a person who worked in the company. His name was Larry." Then the man left, determined to carry out his work as if he was on an important mission. 

The man's response left Paul thinking "What does that mean? Does someone "have the ear" of the CEO? I knew this place wasn't that much different than other places. It's all about who you know! I've got to find out who this "Larry" is and how to get on his good side." 

 The next person he saw would be Paul's next target. He noticed a woman sitting on a bench near the window. Paul went up and started a conversation. 

"Hi, nice day." 

She looked over her shoulder as she was walking toward the elevators. "Just ask," she said, and then she was gone. 

The End…?  Well...

          What happened? Tell me "the rest of the story"… well, the end of the story is really up to you. This is the issue everyone faces at some point in their lives. Are we going to ask…are we going to trust in the only one who can transform our resume... or are we going to go before the CEO with our own performance and past and see if we can get in? 

Into what?  This story may sound familiar - or maybe not? 

Think of it in other terms. If you can understand this simple short story, you can understand the great news of Jesus Christ. It really is no more complicated than what you've just read. 

Zion Inc. is heaven and we are all similar to "Paul."  While it’s true that everyone wants to get into "the company", very few of us are willing to admit that we aren't perfect, or that our own résumés, or life histories, won't earn us a place in the company. 

The rules are simple. In order to be a part of a perfect place, you must be perfect. Otherwise, as soon as something less than perfect enters, it makes the whole thing imperfect. So, if we're not perfect, how do we get in? The answer is the same as above… "Just Ask." 

When you honestly ask a question, aren't you admitting that you don't already have all the answers? You are admitting that you need help - that you can't do it on your own. 

Well, that is what you are doing when you ask Jesus Christ for His help in getting into heaven. Now, don't get me wrong, when Jesus Christ helps you, there are many more benefits for your life everyday while you are here on earth.  These benefits are incredible.  It is not just about getting into heaven. But, if someone were to ask you if heaven was going to be in your future, wouldn't you like to be able to say "Yes - definitely!"

Let’s look at the Bible and learn how you can be sure about that… and know how you can be a part of that company that everyone wants to work for: 

First, we need to admit that we need help. We need to admit that we aren't perfect and since we aren't perfect, we can't get into heaven on our own. 

The Bible says it this way in Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." That means that we are all in the same boat. We all fall short of God's Standard, regardless how good we think we are. Everyone has a long way to go before they make it to the level God expects - perfection. 

But what about all those good things I do? Can't they get me closer? Don't they count for anything? If you look out in the universe and think to yourself, I want to step foot on the north star, you have a long way to go. Yes, jumping in the air may bring you a bit closer than where you were on the ground, but you still have a long way to go to get to the star. Even if you climb Mt. Everest and stand on the summit, there remains a gap between you and your goal that cannot be crossed, without help from something or someone outside of yourself. 

    Admit that you have fallen short and that you need help to achieve the goal, and you have taken the first step toward becoming a follower of Christ. 

The Second thing we need to do is to meet with the Son of the CEO. Trust in Jesus, the Son of God, to go before God in your place. It is only through Jesus Christ and his willingness to go and plead your case before God that we even have a chance. The Bible says it this way in 1 Timothy 2:5-6,  "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time."

The Bible also says in Acts 4:12, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

You see, it's not something that we've done that even gets us a second look, but it is the work done by Jesus Christ, through His death on the cross and His resurrection, that gives us an opportunity to get into heaven. So, we can get off our high horses, because it isn't anything that we earned! Of course, that means that none of us can claim to be more superior than anyone else. I'm glad for that! The Bible says it this way in Ephesians 2:8, 9,  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast."

So, is that it? Almost. 

So far, we have admitted that we are not perfect and have made many mistakes or sins. Then, we have acknowledged that Jesus Christ is the only One who can go before God for us, in our place, because He has taken the punishment for the things we've done. 

The last step is where we left our story… "Just Ask." 

It really is your choice. Do you want to enter the kingdom of God? I know I do. The only SURE way you can do that is by asking… The Bible says it this way in 

  Romans 10:9,10 - "...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

Romans 10:13 - "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!"

God is waiting for you to do just that… "Just Ask…" and the company you always wanted to be a part of will open up for you and rejoice as you come in!

Your choice of companies:

1)    Eternity with Jesus forever and purpose in this life; or
2)   Choose Eternity elsewhere and keep searching for life purpose.

Would you like to ask now?  Right where you are. He is waiting for you. 

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