In less than a minute

The airplane crew was flying along according to regulations. Without warning, they were on the ground in a blaze.

The engineer of the train sat comfortably on his stool monitoring his instruments when suddenly another train was coming at full speed in the opposite direction. Neither engineer could stop.

The parachutist jumped out of the plane like he had done many times before. Only this time the chute did not open causing the ground to rapidly approach him.

The explosive expert set his detonation plans according to the way he always had for the demolition of an abandoned building. When the eruption of sound and debris shattered his eardrums, it was all over in an instant.

A very skillful surgeon continued his operation on the patient for a routine procedure. The scalpel slipped in his hand with drastic results.

What do all of these examples have in common? The result was sudden. The result was unexpected. The result could not be planned for. The result could not be reversed. The result happened in less than in a minute.

The recipients of the tragedies experienced the time they stepped out of this life. More importantly, there was nothing they could do about it. Whatever happened to their souls would be the result of earlier decisions about their eternal destiny. In less than a minute, it was all over. In more cases that we can imagine this happens around the world all the time.

This is reminiscent of James 4: 13,14 that says, “Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow, for what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. For that you ought to say, If the Lord will we shall live, and do this, or that.” Ours is the opportunity to be prepared for the unexpected. We constantly walk on the edge of eternity not knowing when we will cross over. Jesus has made it possible for us to prepare for that unknown time and some future event. It is through his blood that we have salvation. It is because of Jesus that we need not fear what may happen. God has given us an opportunity to live an abundant life knowing that someday we shall go to be with him. It is in this day and time that we must prepare for that someday.