A wonderful Christian woman who was a great influence in my early 20’s used to say that she wasn’t going to die, she was going to just rapture out! Despite her strong faith, she really was afraidto die. It was an ‘unknown’ to her. She wasn’t sure what would happen between her last conscious moment here and her first conscious moment with Jesus.
Death is a reality that is going to come to all of us. Unless Jesus does return before my death, the only way I can get to heaven – is by dying!
Many of us have experienced some reality check since September 11, 2001. The terrorist attack on U.S. soil was something that most of us had no experience since we were not born when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred. The slaughter of men, women, and children reminded us all that we are not promised even today. Am I ready to die? Am I living my life in a way that will find its conclusion with out regrets? Will I be able to look Jesus in the eyes and not see Him disappointed in me?
Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:14-15 (WEB)
May we never forget that Jesus came to earth as fullyGod and fully man andconquereddeath. Any fear that worries or torments me about dying is – bogus! Jesus has given His promise that brings His courage to make our final journey with joy.
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.†John 14:1-3 (WEB)
As I finish these last two days of 2009, I am going to take some time to chat with Jesus about the journey that He has given me. I am going to tell Him that I want to make good use of the time He has given me. I want ears to hear and an obedient heart to receive His instructions and His wisdom. I want to spend some quiet timelistening to the One who loves me so very much.
