My grand plans for this blog were derailed last fall when my husband suffered a life-threatening injury due to a medical mistake. My priorities shifted so I could care for him and our family. Just as with so much in life, this experience has given me much to reflect upon and I hope I can use this experience to encourage others who may be going through challenging times.
Life is a gift. No matter how healthy you are, circumstances can change in an instant. I have watched several friends in the last year become widows. And I came very close to becoming one myself. These women are all about my age, much too young to be mourning the loss of the ones they loved so dearly.
We are not promised tomorrow. That is something I have mulled over many times during the last several months. As it says in James 4:14, “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” We can make our plans, but life (and death) happens.
It’s so easy to live life for the “here and now” and overlook the consequences of our actions.
I believe there is more, that there is life beyond the grave. The Bible talks about eternity and eternal life. Maybe you think you’ll have time later to consider spiritual matters, and what is to come when you die. But you may not have that opportunity if you delay.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 (The Bible, ESV)
I fall short of God’s standard every single day. I don’t have to think too hard or long to recall my mistakes and the many ways I have broken God’s laws. I don’t deserve His grace or mercy. There is nothing I can do on my own to make myself right before God. But Jesus.
Jesus was born into this world as a gift for all mankind. I believe He lived the perfect, sinless life as a man. Prophecies in the Old Testament all point to Jesus as the Messiah. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, his willingness to be crucified and suffer the punishment I deserve, because of his sacrifice, my sins have been forgiven.
I don’t deserve this beautiful gift of grace. But I would be a fool to reject it!
I believe in heaven and hell. And there is only one way to heaven – through Jesus Christ, as our personal savior. God has given us a glorious gift, by sending Jesus to stand in our place, to take the punishment we deserve. And because of His sacrifice, we can stand in the presence of God one day. That truly is amazing grace.
When I get to heaven one day, will I see you? I hope and pray this post challenges you to consider what you believe and where you will spend eternity. There is nothing more important.
Some helpful resources:
- The Bible (English Standard Version) – You can start with the Gospel of John in the New Testament
- The Case for Christ by Lee Stroebel
- Person of Interest by J. Warner Wallace
- Desiring God website
CINDY DIEHL 