It’s been an unusual week in the celebrity world. Surely you’ve heard (unless you have NO media input) that Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, & pitchman Billy Mays died this week. Each of these people died well before one would think. Two abruptly, while Ms. Fawcett had been battling cancer.
Sadly, my neighbor, about the same age as me, was killed in a farming accident this week also. His wife & three kids can use your prayers right now. Not one of these individuals thought their last day would be their last day.
I am faced regularly with mortality. It’s in no way maudlin or morbid on my part to realize that life is brief. In the past 3 years I’ve conducted or helped in around 40 funerals. These have been a wide range of ages, but in almost all instances the individuals would have loved to have had more time, not to mention their families. Thankfully, I knew most of these people & knew they were ready to meet the Lord. While they may have wished for more time with their loved ones, they were ready to meet the One Who loved them most.
As I’ve shared several times, life can turn on a dime. I have tried all the years I’ve served in ministry to never resort to scare tactics or ‘strong-arm evangelism.’ I am, however, compelled to challenge & exhort people to realize how short our time on this small globe is & how we should make the most of time we have.
“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12 NLT
Eugene Peterson has written a bible paraphrase that I read from time to time that puts a different slant on this challenge: “…make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!”
Romans 13:11-14 The Message
It is my sincere hope & prayer that you are truly ready to step into eternity. I assure you I don’t claim to have this life down pat, nor am I ready to get up a load to heaven, but if my life ends today I am thankful I have a home prepared in heaven. If you’re just not sure, or if you know you have unfinished business, please call, write, email or contact me & I’ll pray with you & share how to know the Creator of life. As always, as I pray for you, please return the favor.
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Cell- 870-217-9376
http://www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport
BCM Website: http://www.bcmasunewport.org
Dave Jackson on Facebook.
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