Fire Insurance: part One

When I was 14, I attended a small youth group of about half a dozen kids. At the time, we were meeting at the pastor's house of a small church plant that only survived about 4 more years. The youth leaders, Ryan and Tracey Westphal, had a profound influence on my life over the next couple of years. One Wednesday night they asked a question to our small group that has stuck with me more than a decade. That question, I believe, put a seed in my heart that would bear much fruit later on...it still bears fruit today.

The question was a simple one: "Why do you believe in Jesus Christ?" or "Why are you a Christian?"

At the time, I thought this was a silly, and simple question. My answer seemed obvious, "I don't want to go to hell." D'uh, why wouldn't I believe in Jesus? Who wants to roast in an oven of wrath and anguish for eternity?

The Westphals responded: "Is that it? Jesus is just fire insurance for you?"

I kinda mumbled a reply, but I can't remember what I said. I was confused, honestly. I remember thinking to myself, "what more is there?"

That's my question to you today, readers. What more is there to trusting in Jesus? Or, is there anything more to it than a ticket to heaven?

Please post some comments. I'd like to make this a real discussion. I have a direction, I want to go with this, but am hoping to learn more along the way.

ps: Please pray for Jen's MawMaw (paternal Grandmother). She is very ill in a hospital in St. Louis.