Norman Kotker decided to find out for himself whether Podunk, which in our language serves "as a symbol of utter insignificance," actually exists. He learned that there are several US towns bearing that name, including one in his home state of Massachusetts. His search for the town was an amusing, somewhat frustrating adventure. But finally he found Podunk Road which led him to a housing development and the old Podunk cemetery.

Kotker ends his Smithsonian journal account of his search with this comment about the people buried in that old cemetery: "Like the dead of even the most famous cities, they have gone to a place where the name of the town you come from doesn't make a bit of difference."

And it doesn't! Your place of origin, ethnic background, social status, personal achievement, and even your church affiliation have no bearing on where you will spend eternity. The one determining factor will be your faith in Christ as Savior from your sin. That's the only way to have your name "written in the Lamb's Book of Life" (Rev. 21:27).

It's interesting to find out where a person is from. But infinitely more important is the answer to the question, "Where are you going after this life ends?"  — Vernon C. Grounds