From The Lamplighter

Tying Up Loose Ends

   Someone entered eternity yesterday with a heavy weight of knowledge that their time here on earth was passing swiftly away. Contentment is a state of mind that we struggle with due to our desires and ambitions for more and to improve. Like anything else we desire for ourselves, time is a high commodity. You have, at this moment, something that someone else prayed to have more of on this earth. I suppose that many would give all their worldly goods in exchange for these moments we have in our present. Therefore, let us enjoy and cherish them. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (Eccl. 9:10).

    Tying up loose ends has a connotation of us taking care of something minuscule. On the contrary, everything would fall apart if the task were not done. To save that task as an assignment to do last only sets the task up to go undone or uncompleted. And if the most critical task goes undone, everything falls apart.

    There is promise and power in the here and now. Hebrews 3:13 states, “but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Sin is deceitful; it will have you believe a precious day, along with each moment, is not important and worthy of being wasted because you have another one promised tomorrow. The rich man in Luke 16, who ended up in torment, wished he had someone to warn his brothers of their soon-to-be fate with him; however, there was no time available for him or Lazarus, who was being comforted.

    Jesus told his apostles to make disciples of all nations with the promise that He would be with them (Matthew 28:18-20). Make all your moves in word and deed with Jesus. You will always find yourself being where God wants you to be and doing what God wants you to do. At the end of the time, you will be grateful for a day and life well lived. “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet” (Prov. 3:24).

  The most crucial loose end that needs to be tied is becoming a Christian. Everything you ever hoped for hinges on your decision. Don’t wait another minute for tomorrow to come. You prayed for another day; here it is; now tie it up. “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11).

©Courtney Henderson  11/10/2022