We recently passed the anniversary of the tragic death of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. To make matters even worse, his13 year-old daughter and several of their companions died in the crash as well. It doesn’t seem right or fair that someone so young and with so much going for himself would end up this way. Fame, fortune, a beautiful family and by all accounts a sense of civic responsibility that would have contributed so much to the community - perhaps even to the world! But it was all cut short and tragically ended so soon!
You know, it got me to thinking about what the bible teaches us about the subject of life and death. James said in James 4:13-16, "13Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the LORD will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” Someone said that death is the one appointment that we all must keep. Death is life's insistent interruption. It always stops the party. It stops the games we play and makes us think about things we otherwise push to the back. It brings to center stage in our mind great memories, unresolved pain, deep regrets and haunting questions. Most of all it reminds us that one day it will be me!
Listen, tragedies like this are a wakeup call for each of us. Death is a painful but valuable reminder. It brings us back to some central questions that help us see life more clearly. Have I let the things that really matter get crowded out by things that really don't? We need to stop sometimes and check our priorities. Are we neglecting someone we love? Are we building our kingdom more than His kingdom? Are we spending on stuff that won't last or investing in things that will last forever? What kind of legacy am I leaving? When we've breathed our last, will we leave behind a mess or a message? A trail of tears or a trail of hope? Am I ready for eternity, whenever and however it comes?
Most of us think that we have lots of time ahead of us to enjoy life and prepare for the future. But let me ask you, are you ready for eternity, whenever and however it comes? James reminds us that life is but a vapor that appears for a little while and then fades away. I urge you to make the most of the opportunity you have before you today to ensure that your soul is secure in the Lord and that you’ll spend eternity with Him by obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ today!
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