And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. —Hebrews 9:27-28 NLT
It’s been a full day of work and laundry, phone calls and dog walks. I’ve checked enough items off my “to do” list for the day and am indulging in a little Facebook scrolling. An article catches my attention, and I stop to read. It’s about a man named John Harper. He and his little girl were on the Titanic traveling to Chicago where he was scheduled to preach. We all know what happened on that trip.
You may have heard about this man and his great faith. He made sure his little girl was safe on a lifeboat and then helped others onto the few remaining boats. Shortly thereafter, on the now-sinking ship, he gave his lifejacket away to a man who claimed not to know the Lord. He told the man: you need that lifejacket far more than I do, you’re not ready to die. John Harper perished in the frigid water that night, using his last breath to urge those around him to receive Jesus as Savior. He made a strong impression on the few who were rescued. They remembered his shout: I’m not going down … I’m going up. John Harper believed what he preached, and he did and said what mattered most.
I can’t shake this story. It stirs within me and resonates in my soul. Life is short. Am I living in the full belief that everyone I know and meet will eventually die and either be saved or … not? I have friends who fully believe that a crisis of dire proportions is on its way, that life as we know it is going to get much, much worse. They believe that shelves will be emptied of food, and all who haven’t planned ahead and stored up provisions in advance will be facing starvation. I’m not convinced. But, if there is a shortage of food in our country, and we do stockpile our food and have extra, will I be like John Harper and give my food away to those who do not yet know Jesus? Am I living in such a way that I am ready to die ahead of those who are not ready to meet the one true God in judgment—no matter what the crisis might be?
What about those who hurt me? Those who misunderstand me and say unkind things about me? How am I viewing them? Does my own personal hurt get in the way of the truth that they, too, will end in only one of two places … forever? Either with God in the place prepared for them or without Him, without the love, joy, and peace that only reside in Heaven.
You know. A whole lot of foolish arguments and resentments would dissipate if we could remember the great big truth that we “die once and after that comes judgment.” And we are basically all guilty. Without receiving the saving grace of God through Jesus who said … I’ll take that punishment for you … we are doomed.
Lord God, my Savior and my Rock, help me to see life in light of eternity and the final destination that awaits us all. Give me a gospel-centered heart that longs for all people to come to know You, the God who loves them and desires to bring them home to Heaven one day. Forgive me when I let lesser things crowd out the most important message of all. You love us. You died for us. You alone are able to save us. Use me and help me to share this message with all I meet—the pleasant ones and the unpleasant. For I want no one to face Your wrath when Your love is freely given to all who come to You. I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
You are loved,
Sharon
Sweet Selah Ministries
Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service
Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)
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