Daily devotional, March 20, 2024 Pre-departure area
"So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Psalm 90:12
They all say that life is short. But for people who lost their loved ones all of a sudden, it can be said that life is abrupt. The reality is, all of us can die anytime. Some of us can say they will be going home to heaven or they are being called by our Creator, but sadly not everyone will have that confidence.
The key is readiness. We all have to be prepared for that moment. Yes, we have to straighten out the things that we will leave behind by making a will and testament, getting insurance policies for our loved ones, and investing for their future. But more importantly, we have to make sure that when we go, we will be called into the place that God has prepared for us.
"In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."
John 14:2-3
One of my favorite bible commentators, David Guzik, says that the worldly truth which is “it is not what you know, but whom you know” also works in the afterlife. If here on earth, some people could get away with the nasty things that they do because they know people in high places, a similar principle is at work for followers of Jesus although it does not of course involve getting away with unrighteousness without doing anything.
When we die, it will not be important if we know a lot of things about God and Jesus, or if we have memorized the bible or came to be the most hardworking person in our ministry. What will gain us entry is WHOM WE KNOW. If we know Jesus and repented on our sins and accepted Him as our Lord and personal savior, and we have a personal relationship with Him, our Heavenly Father will allow us to go to heaven because Jesus already paid for our sins.
As the Apostle St. John tell us in his First Epistle:
"He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked."
1 John 2:2-6
And so while we still have time here on Earth we have to work out our salvation by building a relationship with the Lord. Let us spend time with Him in prayer. Let us seek Him by trying to read, study and reflect on His words. Let us dedicate time for Him not just on Sundays but everyday of our lives by living in His presence, and trying our best to follow His example and abide by His commands.
Let us live our faith and live God honoring lives. Let us carry out the mission that He has for us which is to bring others to Him as well. We can do this by working with other fellow followers who also desire to spend eternity with our one true God.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast”
Ephesians 2:8-9
We ought to realize that we have to use our earthly time wisely. We should not waste it on doom scrolling, rumor mongering, coveting, and other unwholesome pursuits. Instead, let us put the skills and talents given to us by the Lord to good use.
We will never know when it is our time to go. Well, some may have been given a bit of time to prepare for it, but for most of us, we will never know until it is too late. We should not allow ourselves to be caught unprepared at that moment. And with our faith and actions, we can hope that we can be called to live happily in eternity with God.
And while we are at it, let us also invite others to prepare for their eternal life by introducing them to Jesus. After all, as Christ’s followers, that is one of our main missions here on Earth.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on 1 John 2:1-6 and 12-17 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: How are you preparing for that inevitable day when you will be called in to account for the life (time, talent, treasure and influence) God has given you?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for redeeming me. I am looking forward to spending eternity with you, as I strive hard to remain connected to you as I journey here on Earth. Please give me the gift of your abiding presence, so that I could be prepared anytime you call me home. Amen.