Later in the week Stephen and Olivia heard the mayor of Weatherview was going to give an impromptu speech on the coming Tuesday. There was nothing in the press disclosing what he would be speaking about. The couple followed the news more closely than most, however like many of the residents of the city, their interest in politics had waned over the last few years. Their care for Weatherview and its people had not, which is why they decided to attend.
Mayor Hugh Harker would speak from the steps of City Hall at six o’clock in the evening. Over four thousand people showed up, crowding the streets in front of the imposing Romanesque structure. The spires, columns, and archways gave the impression of being ruled over from a castle, an incongruous style considering the government was made up of many kind and generous people who had fought and won battles for the freedom of the citizens.
Having made the same observation, Stephen commented to Olivia. Before she could respond the mayor emerged from the building and descended to the podium.
“Hello, people of Weatherview. Thank you for taking the time to attend this speech, and for those of you at home, thank you for watching. I’m sure you are all wondering what I intend to talk about. My decision not to share any information with the press was due to the nature of the subject matter. I fear some of you may not appreciate, may possibly react strongly against, what I have to say. All I can do is apologize and ask you to please bear with me.
“This city is a special place which I have come to know and love. It has a rich history dating back as far as the Native Americans who lived here prior to the Thirteen Colonies. But that is not the topic I’ll be discussing tonight. I intend to address certain changes which have happened to our unique city in recent years. Supernatural, wonderful, and heavenly occurrences have been taking place here. It seems the families and friends all over the greater Weatherview area are being whisked away into blissful fantasies without their intention. It’s almost as if the kingdom of heaven is trying to swing down and lift us into God’s sweet embrace.
“The implications of these changes are not all sunshine and roses. The Lord Jesus Christ has yet to return in power and glory. This means everyone the world over is still subject to God’s fearful judgment and, according to the scriptures, must be judged. We can not allow ourselves to be persuaded to settle in and get comfortable here. I repeat, no matter how breathtakingly miraculous these incidents become, we must stay the course of humble service—nay, we must fall down before our Creator and beg for him to help us become true Christians. As difficult as this may be to hear, none of us are even close to ready to go to heaven, not one.
“Now I’m going to switch gears for a moment and focus on myself and my adjustment to these mystical events. Again, please bear with me. I am not a good man. I work hard and try to be kind, but unfortunately the struggle to be worthy of my position as mayor, the fight to hate what is wrong and abide in what is right and true, has been a losing one. Upon waking up every morning I am forced to acknowledge that I’m a failure, having been at times overcome by the forces of greed, the hungry void of selfishness. Everyday I recognize this and everyday I carry on hoping that the good in me wins out. I keep trying, knowing that the victory is not mine, but the Lord’s. Weatherview, we cannot become who we are meant to be unless we surrender ourselves and everything we care about to Jesus. Only then can these joyous phenomena really mean something. Honestly, I don’t think anybody should be able to enjoy these dreams-come-true until we can be good people through and through. The experiences may be divine, but I am not. Far from it.
“I’m aware that no one likes to be lectured and criticized, especially after living difficult lives and having to overcome many staggering challenges. Given the choice between ecstasy and lowly repentance most would choose the former. But one thing these phenomena have made clear to me is that we have the power not only to endure but also to overcome once and for all the adversity of a fallen world. Not on our own but with God’s help and Lordship. The goal isn’t to rise up to heaven, it is to be called there.
“Some of you may be asking, ‘Well, Mayor Harken, what are we supposed to do, not be uncontrollably captivated by these supreme visions?’ My answer is this: do not let them dominate your lives. Indeed, resist the exultations and stay grounded in your faith. There will be time enough to rejoice if and when we are chosen for God’s kingdom. I would not speak thus to you unless I were prioritizing righteousness myself, and I suspect I have a long way to go.
“In closing I beg you all to not let this amazing city persuade you to become overconfident. The Bible commands us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Yes, what is happening here is very special. Yes, the glorious ecstasies we are experiencing have been positive so far. And no, we have not found any cause to renounce them yet. We are, however, commanded to remain sober, vigilant, and wide awake with regard to this momentous time. Thank you.”
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