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30 Minutes Until --

Today at lunch I was thinking about the headlines I heard on WBZ radio as I shuffled my feet from gas, to clutch, to brake, and back again for nearly an hour in rush hour traffic.

Our governor decided to stand behind some laid off union workers at the Hyatt in Boston - says he's going to boycott Hyatt - funny he didn't speak up when I lost my job to someone in India. Union - oh yeah, that's right, unable to make concessions in a tough economy-- let's punish the business that is employing 190 Americans. Another was the clatter over Obama going to Copenhagen - who cares really? Send Polanski to jail for life - please!

Then there was the Tsunami in the Samoas. Amazing, and without warning four 50 foot waves smashed into the beaches of the South Pacific Islands. Hundreds died - their last moments on earth. I wonder what they were thinking 30 minutes before it happened?

Matthew 25:5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

You just don't know what will happen - and yet we worry about everything as if we'll live forever. It is interesting how humans are. Then I thought about what I have faith in - what if I don't make it home today? Do I really believe what I preach? Then I meditated on His glory and His presence descended. With moments like that, it is hard to stay here on earth. Sure, I have relationships that I value with my wife and kids, but His glory is so very peaceful that some days I don't feel like engaging the struggle.

How about you - what if it was all over in 30 minutes? Would you think about your eternity, or what you've left behind?

Jesus, He defeated death, and by faith so will you. Think about it.

I gave myself 30 minutes to write this blog - I have 6 minutes left.
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Comments

TeVeT said…
Great entry!
"Jesus, He defeated death, and by faith so will you. "
There is no reason for any Christian to want to hang onto life here on earth.
October 1, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Tony C said…
I think my thoughts would drift to the ones I'd be leaving behind that hadn't come to Christ.

What more could I have done?

Great post!
October 2, 2009 at 12:35 PM
transplant2x said…
Thanks for the reminder, David, as to what is really important. I doubt, though, that we can live for very long as if our next moment is the last. When Jesus walked on earth, he knew when his time would come - and when not. He wasn't holding his breath as if the Pharisees might seize him at any moment unexpectedly and nail him to the cross. Neither can we live in permanent uncertainty. I believe Matthew 25 and similar passages talk about our relationship with Jesus - being ready to meet Him any time, yet living daily life unto him.
October 2, 2009 at 12:51 PM
photogr said…
I think the most important thing we can do is live life to the fullest in God's grace with out any worries and win more souls to Christ. I would think all else would fall into place.
October 2, 2009 at 11:50 PM
~ Jan ~ said…
Ditto here, Tony C.

I try to remember the last stanza of the song, "When It's All Been Said And Done", written by James A. Cowan.

I will always sing your praises,
Here on earth and ever after.
For you've shown me Heaven's my true home,
When it's all been said and done,
You're my life when life is gone.

It's a beautiful song. I prefer the rendition by Don Moen. You should give it a listen.
October 3, 2009 at 12:54 PM
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