Theme of the Week: Don’t Just Exist
Bible Verse: “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:27-28
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 9:22-28
“Attention! Campus lockdown. This is not a drill.” This pre-recorded message blared suddenly and repeatedly over the speakers as I attended a night course. The announcement directed everyone to stay indoors. Our instructor wasn’t sure if he should keep teaching or stop.
Then one student discovered on her phone that there might be an active shooter on campus. Tensions rose instantly. There was no door lock, but we decided to turn off the lights in an attempt to stay safe and unnoticed.
I didn’t have a phone to call or text my wife and children, but my thoughts turned to them. Is this how I die? I wondered. I felt cornered; I contemplated going into the hallway so I could at least run or fight. We didn’t talk. We just sat there quietly, but I was consumed with the possibility of the shooter entering and ending the lives of me and my classmates.
I believed in Jesus, but was I ready to die? We know from Bible verses such as today’s that we are “destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Heb 9:27). We further know from the next verse (v. 28) that Jesus died “to take away the sins of many” and he will “bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
In those anxious moments, I was confident of my salvation in Christ. Admittedly, I did cross-examine myself a few times, Is everything I’ve ever believed about Jesus real? Do I truly believe? Yes indeed, was the answer.
What pained me was dying like a confined animal. I lamented that I would not get a chance to say a proper goodbye to my family.
It turned out that the suspect may or may not have had a gun, and he was off campus by two blocks. I drove home that night, disoriented and unsure what to think. I had been near death in my mind but not in reality.
It felt like I had come back from the dead. Maybe that’s a bit melodramatic, but it seemed like a second chance at life. I reflected that my life was not entirely in my control. I could die from a shooter or a drunk driver or cancer. What was true was that God is in control and my life is in his hands, no matter how it may end.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that my life is in your loving and sovereign hands. May I live every day for you until I see you face to face.
Reflection: Are you ready for death and God’s judgment? Is Jesus your Savior? Are you living every day to the fullest with no regrets?
Copyright © 2022 Impactus | Promise Keepers Canada. All rights reserved.
About
