If I Leave Here Tomorrow
I guess it was the climate of the day, but I remember a great emphasis on the end of time in the preaching I heard in my youth. Now, that emphasis is still around today, but I don’t want to stoke an argument over which belief-system is the most correct. I am more concerned about the effect that such an emphasis had on people (at least on the ones with which I was most acquainted). For me, there was a great sense that I had limited time to do anything for Christ since His coming or my death could occur at any moment. The calendar was an element, to be sure, as many influential revivalists had just passed off the scene, Billy Graham was ramping up and other evangelistic enterprises (my own father included) were enjoying their best days.
The urgency was to win the world for Christ. No one knew how long the door would be open- for individuals or society at-large. Great mission’s efforts spawned after the World Wars and their shocking devastation. It was a world that needed saving. I am, sometimes, a little saddened at the obsession of some on the intricacies of the end times rather than the fact of the end itself. I and many others were scrambling to prepare for the harvest. I, for one, never believed in any of the faddish end-time nonsense, but I did believe the Bible. It is pretty clear that this world is not going to last forever, and neither am I. Ironic as it sounds, I may have had a greater sense of mortality as a youth than now. Then again, maybe now I just accept the fact without fear.
Regardless of the larger picture, it is true that these days may be our last days. Life is fleeting, and time is running out for someone every moment. And that is what we have to realize when we think of the end of the world. Every day is somebody’s last day. We do, to some degree, lose vibrancy as we age, but we ought to gain a depth of understanding that makes our work for the Kingdom of God more purposeful and enduring. We don’t have time to waste. That’s what is heartbreaking about modern Christianity. We think we can live for Christ, touch the bases and let folks come to us. That was not Jesus’ prescription. If God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven, it will take substantial effort on our part. There is a crop wasting for lack of workers.
Would you remember me if I left? Would the great work of the ages be lessened by my departure, and am I making an impact? It’s not difficult to be a contributor to the great cause of Christ. You only have to offer yourself and your time according to your ability and allow yourself to be a tool in His hands. The power is all God’s. There are so many things in life that are binding, but the work of God is freeing. Once you have become truly free and an investor in the heavenly reward, you will never be satisfied with the temporal and tiny things of this life. You will be free as a bird- incapable of being chained. I want my life to count for something. You do, too. Time is short, so pack light. Let’s take off together. I’ll cheer as you fly.
Sterl
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