Are You Prepared?



If you have found your way here you're probably saying: "Okay, prepared for what? What are you talking about?" Well, most people today diligently prepare for all sorts of things. For instance, a young lady engaged to be married will meticulously plan for that special day when she will be officially united with the man she loves. A businessman labors tirelessly into the night preparing his tax return so as not to have to pay "Uncle Sam" any more in taxes than is necessary. Moms and Dads make elaborate and detailed preparation for adventurous vacations with their children while they are out of school for the summer. Yes, people prepare in advance for all sorts of things. On a far more serious note, however, let me ask you this question. How many people prepare for that which is inevitable - that is, their death? Now I'm not talking about making arrangements with a funeral director for a gravesite and those sorts of things. I'm talking about people preparing to give an account for their life before their Maker - the God of heaven and earth. Let's take this one level deeper. What about you personally? Are you prepared for the day of your death? There's a verse in the Bible where we find this short little phrase - "prepare to meet your God." In another place the Bible warns us: "It is appointed unto men once to die and after this the judgment." Do these words raise concerns in your heart? They should. You may say to yourself "Oh, I've got plenty of time to think about those things." Really? The Bible says: "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." Do you remember that horrific day that we Americans now sadly refer to as "9/11"? How many people on those airplanes or in those twin towers do you think woke up that morning thinking it would be their last day on this earth? I guarantee you not one of them did. Or, how many people today grieve over friends or loved ones - no longer with us - because they were caught up unexpectedly in a mass shooting somewhere, or involved in a tragic car accident, or the recipient of a fatal disease that took their life way too early? Yes, death can come suddenly and unexpectedly. But even if you were to live what we sometimes call "a full life" you will find that it passes very, very quickly. The Bible says "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." Talk to anyone in their 60's or 70's or 80's and they will undoubtedly say: "Oh my goodness, where did the time go." Yes, a wise person will prepare for the day of his death. Again, let me ask you, are you prepared for that day? God, our Creator, has lovingly and graciously preserved for us a book we call the Bible. It is to our great detriment and shame as Americans that we value it so little and read it so infrequently - if at all. It did not use to be that way. Our country was founded by men and women who loved the Bible and believed it to be God's word. In my judgment, one cannot seriously study and meditate upon the Bible without being impressed that it is unique among all the other "so-called" Holy Books. The Bible is very clear when it comes to telling us how we can come to know God in a more intimate way - to be rightly related to Him through His Son Jesus Christ, and thus, be fully prepared for the day of our death. Click here if you wish to know more regarding what the Bible has to say on these matters.

Bible verses cited above: