There’s a scene in the Steve Martin movie The Jerk in which Martin jumps up and down and exclaims “The new phone book’s here, the new phone book’s here!” When his employer asks why he’s getting so excited over nothing, Martin explains that this is something special. There on Page 73 of the local phone book is his name. His name in print. Now he’s a somebody.
I must admit I felt a bit like Martin when the box of advance copies of A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider arrived on my doorstep. Sure enough, there on Page 11 was my name. Not only was my name there in print but beneath were words I had written. I was now a published author.
Yes, it made me feel special. Maybe even a bit like a “somebody.” At least for a little while. There is a real satisfaction in completing something and feeling that you’ve done a good job. This satisfaction is enhanced when we’re doing something which God has called us to do and maybe even given us some measure of talent to do it with. Add to this the opportunity to be included in a volume like HAC2 that can touch people’s spirits and turn their hearts toward Gods and this satisfaction can be real joy.
Shortly after opening my box of books however, I was reminded of something much more important. I attended a local church with my family to watch a live Easter production on The Passion. It was good to be reminded of the sacrifice Christ made, of how much He suffered to pay the price of sin. His death and resurrection made it possible for all of us to experience God’s amazing love and grace and come to the Father. Jesus made it possible for each and every one of us to accept Him into our hearts and have our names permanently imprinted in God’s Book of Life.
And that really does make us a somebody.