At the conclusion of his father’s funeral, Franklin Graham said, “Daddy, I won’t see you on this earth again, but I will see you again. I’ll see you maybe soon, but not yet. To God be the glory.”
Watching the Billy Graham memorial service online today reminded me of my Mother’s service in (2012) and my Dad’s in (2014). In the past eight years I’ve had to say, “See you later” to both of them. Fortunately, both knew Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and they went home to heaven’s glory. I will see them again, but I still miss them very much.
Then, all of this reminds me of my own human mortality, the fact that I have an appointment with death one day, just like you and every other person on the face of the earth, whether we are famous or not. This is one appointment none of us can change, reschedule or miss.
The Bible says, “It is appointed to man once to die and after this the judgment,” (Hebrews 9:27).
At the same the Scriptures tell us, “Prepare to meet your God,” (Amos 4:12).
Are you prepared to meet your God? Are you ready for eternity?
You know, eternity is a very long time to be wrong about how you stand with God. We can’t afford to hope or guess our soul is o.k. with God. We need to make sure our salvation is settled through Jesus Christ because there are no second chances to get it right once we enter eternity. My Mother and Dad were ready. I am ready and I truly hope you are too.
If you don’t have total assurance, you can. Please email us and let us pray with you today.
When Christ comes into our hearts, He takes away our fear of death and replaces it with His peace. But, if we don’t have total confidence we are saved by Christ, we should never put it off or consider it normal Christianity.
In closing, at my Mother’s eulogy, my Pastor cousin read a famous poem written by Linda Ellis called, “The Dash.”
A man once spoke at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone: the beginning to the end.
First, came his date of birth as he spoke of the ending date with tears.
Yet, what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time we spent alive on earth.
But, we seldom realize how precious that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live, love and spend our dash.
So, think about this poem while you can,
Because life is slipping away faster than the hourglass sand.
Are there things in your life that need to change?
Priorities, decisions or attitudes to rearrange?
Slow down to discover what’s true and real,
And, always consider the way others feel.
Be slow to anger and show appreciation more.
Love God and others like you’ve never loved before.
Be kind to others, willing to walk the second mile.
Knowing that this dash might end in just a little while.
So, I ask you when your eulogy is finally being read,
What things about your life will be said?
My friend, our earthly treasures will one day crumble all to ash.
Yet what remains is how you spent YOUR dash?”
David Crews Ph.D. Publications 