Gone in a breath
December 18, 2018, came close to becoming my going home day and it happened in a heartbeat. Coming down from a step stool (no more ladders), I fell flat on my back and my head struck the concrete. I had just called a friend to see how he was doing following a fall he took recently that required brain surgery and now speech training.
His fall prompted me to go to the ER. They took a scan of my brain (yes, it is still there). I was relieved to find there were no blood clots but a concussion, so they cleaned up the scalp wound and elbow cuts and sent me home.
As I was reading scripture, a few mornings after, the thought hit me. “Lord, that could have been the moment you called me home!” The scripture tells us to be ready for that moment. That led me to think about my life and I asked myself several questions. “Lord, have I completed the assignment you gave me? Do I have my house in order? Lord, are you pleased with my life?”
I have thought of many things as I age and get closer to my going home. Will I have time to tell my loved ones how much I love them? Have I put my will, my bank accounts, and other things in order so that my family will not be burdened? December 18 has caused me to pause realizing how quickly death can come.
It’s a valuable time for all of us to do a check-up on our Spiritual health. Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” John 9:4 (NIV)
Is my commitment to Christ and what He wants of me where it should be? Is my relationship with my earthly family and my Christian family strong? Have I been faithful in carrying out the commandment in Matthew 25 in caring for the hungry, the sick, the thirsty, the stranger, the imprisoned and those needing clothes?
I want to check my wisdom and be sure it is wisdom from Christ. We cannot fail when we seek wisdom from on high.
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
James 3:13, 17 (NIV)
Lord, let me love my brothers and sisters as you love me, forgive me when I fail, and help me be strong all the way to the finish line. May my material gains, and time on earth be used to build treasure in Heaven. Help me on the narrow path that leads me home.
Amen,
