It is not too early to start packing…

I am an expert’ packer for trips. Literally I can pack everything I need for a trip in less than ten minutes. It makes no difference if it is a two week or two day trip. Many years and millions of miles of travel all over the world have given me the experience that I need to do this chore quickly and efficiently.

I was thinking about the people who lost their lives this weekend in a plane crash in Lexington Kentucky. I know the airport well and have used it before. The flight left at 6:05 A.M. which means those who took it were probably up packing by 3:30 – 4:00 A.M or possibly even earlier. Most people do not think that clearly that early in the morning and I can imagine some of them were struggling as they tried to decide what to take and what to leave behind.

I wonder what they would have packed had they known that they were going to take a much longer trip than to Atlanta Hartsfield Airport. Had they known that they were going to visit God face to face that morning, when would they have begun packing and what would they have taken?

When we die we will face God stark naked and the only thing we will be allowed to bring is our life’s experience. Sorry but there will be no possessions, no money clip, stock portfolio, fancy cars, big homes, Armani suits, or Rolex watches. All of the things we have done in life on behalf of the Lord will come with us and of course the things we have done that are not so good will as well and that is it. If we are a Christian, we will not have to go through this frightening experience alone. Jesus Christ will be there with us and His blood sacrifice will have already paid the heavy price for our sins. We will be rewarded for the good things we have done in life and we will enter paradise and enjoy the mansion that Jesus has prepared for us to live in throughout eternity.

If we have rejected Jesus in this life, we will face God alone and the Bible is clear that He will judge us according to the strict letter of the law. The Bible is also clear that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and that sin must be dealt with utilizing the harshest of punishment, (just look what happened to Jesus on the cross on our behalves). Sin cannot and will not be tolerated in heaven, and those without Christ will spend eternity separated from God in Hell paying the price for their sins alone.

I wonder how many of those passengers and crew were packed and ready for the trip to God’s judgment seat yesterday morning. None of us know when we will need to make this trip, but it behooves us all greatly to start packing today. The first thing to pack is a solid relationship with Jesus Christ. Next we should add some good works and make amends with anyone with whom we have a dispute to the best of our ability. We should ask forgiveness for our sins and strive to find God’s purpose for our lives and work diligently to achieve it. It is never too early to start packing for this trip because we never know when we will be required to take it. The only thing certain is that we all must make this trip…without exception. Without a moment’s notice we can be called, possibly even today. Think about it!

Hebrews 9:27
And it is appointed for men
to die once, but after that the
judgment.