My father died in 2005. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and given a year and a half to three years to live. But God saw fit to take him home within a couple months of his diagnosis. The suddenness of his death left me stunned – I knew he would not live much longer but still it surprised me when he died. A few years later, I opened the box where I had placed some of his belongings.
I pulled out the old worn cardboard envelope. My hands went over the surface, anxious to look at what it contained. As I scanned the documents with not just my eyes, but with my hands and with my memories, I realized that the life this envelope represented here on earth had been reduced to what now lay on my lap. I caressed the leaves of papers and the old and worn photos of a life long ago. I thought of God and his eternalness. That though I held a sheaf of something that would fade and become dust, the life went on to see the throne of the King. The life bowed at the feet of the Father and the Son. The lips had to cry out to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. There is the eternity for that life. Not what the envelope contained – not what this world reduced the life that lived to. The true measure of forever, of eternity, is standing before the Lord or being hidden from His face, His favor and His grace.
Read 1John 5:1-13
- Where will you spend your eternity?
- What about your friends and other family members?
- Do they know the Truth?
- Who will go and tell them? Will you? Pray for boldness!
Lord, give me boldness through Your Holy Spirit to proclaim the truth of Your Word to those who have yet to believe. I pray that You prepare the unbeliever’s heart and anoint my lips to speak with the authority given to me by Jesus Christ. Help me to be a bold and effective witness for Jesus to all my friends and family members, and yes, even to the stranger. Above all, may I minister the Gospel of Jesus in love. Love – not as I know it – but as You show me. May all those that don’t know You hear there are only two places to be for eternity – with You or away from You. May they choose You as their Lord and Savior. In Jesus name, amen.