Everything in this life has an ending point. Not all of it is in a negative way, but ending is inevitable. When I think about my life, a few things come to mind.....
Childhood ends....
Being a single person ends.....
Being without children ends......
Jobs end.....
Owning certain cars ends.....
Living in the same house ends.....
School ends......
Band practices end.....
Living with parents ends.....
Our life before Christ ends.....
Our life on this earth ends.....
One story comes to mind also.....about a year into our marriage, my husband and I bought a mobile home, in a mobile home park. I had never lived in a trailer, but was ok with the idea. We bought a 14x70 single wide trailer with 3 bedrooms from my mother in law. She was getting remarried after the death of my husband's father, and needed to sell.....so we bought it. We lived there for 7 years. Our kids were really small back then, so the space wasn't an issue until they started to grow. 3 kids in a small area wasn't working too well. So, we decided to put our little place on the market. Actually we did this 3 times before we got a buyer. We prayed and let the results and our outcome to God in the whole thing, so when we didn't sell it, we knew the timing wasn't right.....yet. One day, a couple came along and wanted to buy it and move in ASAP. We had no where to go or any home even picked out yet, but the Lord was faithful in taking us to our new home. A brick semi-detached.....in another school district, but our 2 kids in school at the time were ok with the switch. Elementary school isn't as hard to adjust to change, I guess. The night before settlement, I had a flood of emotion come over me. Everything we owned was in a truck, except a change of clothes and an air mattress. I remember sitting with my husband in our little kitchen crying....asking him what happens if we don't like the new house? What happens if we hate it and can never return to this little house we loved so much? I accepted Christ in the kitchen of this place. Our youngest child was the only kid brought home from the hospital to this house. Our neighbors in the park were like family. We had great times in that trailer, but it was time to move on. My husband assured me that we would be ok and love the new house just as much as this one we were leaving. I trusted him and got myself together....haha. The next day we had our settlement and moved to the new house. We were just fine in that new house and adjusted well to our new surroundings. God had his hand in all of our adventures in selling and buying the new home. The point of this story is that even though our time in that little trailer had ended, something wonderful was just beginning.
With every end is a new beginning. Everything I listed is true in that it ends, but something always begins. If my childhood didn't end at some point, I wouldn't have got married, or had a family. If I didn't quit a certain job, I wouldn't have a job I love now. If I wouldn't have accepted Jesus in the kitchen of my trailer, I wouldn't know the love of my Savior and be destined for hell. All these beginnings are wonderful.
What about your "ends"? Do you have great beginnings once things ended in your life? What about the end of this life on earth? That's the final end to our physical life and the beginning of our eternal life. Do you know who you serve and love? Do you know who you will spend eternity with? Do you realize the decision you make today for or against Jesus has the only impact on your eternity? Do you realize Jesus is waiting for you with open arms?
The Bible tells us that all the days ordained (given) to us were written in your book before one of them came to be.....Psalm 139:16
Job 14:5 says that man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and set limits he cannot exceed.
What both of these verses tell us is that our days were numbered before we were born and nothing we do can add to the time we are destined to have on this earth.
God has full control of the universe. He knows everything and is in everything.
With that being said, there is no time like NOW to get right with God. Don't have an ending without a beautiful beginning.
John 3:16-17 - check it out!!
What about your ends??? Good questions...
ReplyDeleteI want to talk about this question, (Do you realize the decision you make today for or against Jesus has the only impact on your eternity?) as I wonder about some of my decisions from my past...
I have done some things that I am not proud of. I turned from God many times because of being angry or because I was selfish and was not getting what I thought I was owed, even though I work hard. The last time I turned from God, I went in to a very dark place. For years I suffered more than most people could have imagined. During that time I said and did some things that were against God. At times I questioned if there was a God. I questioned why if he was such an amazing God, then why I was suffering. If he was a loving God, then why did I lose my brother. If he truly loved me, why was I living a life of suffering, to the point that I didn't love myself let alone love others. In fact I hated pretty much everybody, including God. I could go on and on, but it comes down to me sinning some great sins against God. I wonder how I will have to pay for all those sins I committed.
Today I was talking with my wonderful wife. I told her my story from the other day and she read it in my post from the other day. I said, I could feel Jesus was with me in that moment when I offered to pray for someone. I went on to say the feeling I had was wonderful and if heaven is like that then wow.. It was pretty emotional as I went on say, I want everyone to know that feeling. I am sure heaven is way better than even that awesome feeling I had. I want people to see what God is showing me. I want them to know that they can live forever. They can be in the most holy place ever. They can praise our God forever. They can be in the light forever. This life will end for all of us!! But, we can live forever. Now that seems selfish and to a degree it is. However, if everyone could see what I see and feel that feeling of Jesus being with them. They would want to praise God/Jesus. They would want to be a better person while they are here. They would want to serve others not just to get to heaven, but because it feels good to do something pleasing for God. It feels good to praise God. It feels good to want to be Holy beside our great and merciful God. And as I said in that prior post... it's easy....
Now getting back to the question. Do you realize the decision you make today for or against Jesus has the only impact on your eternity?
At the time I was in my dark place I didn't care about my decisions and as I said, I committed some great sins against God. Now not only do I KNOW GOD EXISTS, I can see God everywhere I look. I can see how he was working in my life from many years ago. I see how great his love is and how merciful he is. But, unfortunately, I can see how I sinned against him during my dark time and I am ashamed. I know I will still sin, but I will do my best to obey him. To love him. To praise him. To make disciples for him. And, to show my gratitude for him letting me see him in all his majesty.... I can only hope and pray that by being better at obeying him and loving him that I will make up for those sins I committed and for doubting his and his existence. Thank you God for letting me see all the wonders of you!!!
Bruce.....you won't pay for all those sins you committed while in your dark place. Jesus paid them already. And you won't have to do more good to make up for your sins......Jesus paid it all. All you have done will be remembered no more. You have been forgiven and made right eith a holy God through Jesus. Please do not fret over past sins......they are buried deep in the ocean floor.
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear your testimony someday. I have mine typed out and would like you to read it. I had a lot of dark places myself....and understand what you are saying.
God is awesome and using you.....it's beautiful! I'm so blessed to know you and be able to see your growth.