Ready

The last few days I have been thinking about life and death…about the time we have been given. It really is short and we have to be ready.

My friend lost her son suddenly. One moment he was here, laughing and enjoying life and the next moment he was gone. I was thinking about how unexpected his death was, yet how he was still prepared. He loved the Lord. He lived his life to the fullest, being who he was and doing what he could to love people and bring joy to their lives. He didn’t see death coming- not so soon. But Jesus knew.

I think of another friend who was expecting death. A terminal illness was going to take life away. My friend was told that there was only so much time given. The focus was now to live in the face of death completing a wish list. So many faced with this circumstance decide that with the time that is left, the focus will be on living. Every moment is going to be cherished and enjoyed. There is only so much time to live life and it is done with intention. My friend saw death coming although not exactly certain of when. But Jesus knew.

He lived his last days focused on His earthly end because He knew it would be our heavenly beginning. Jesus knew what awaited Him and He continued the journey toward death. He chose it.

I think of Jesus, especially this week. Jesus knew His life timeline. Yet, He was focused on death. He lived his last days focused on His earthly end because He knew it would be our heavenly beginning. Jesus knew what awaited Him and He continued the journey toward death. He chose it. He didn’t tun away from it or try to ignore it. Jesus saw death coming. He was certain of the hour. He focused on death so that we could focus on life. Jesus knew.

Philippians 2:4 “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

Romans 5:8 “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”

These deaths of my friends have been hard on my heart and mind. Jesus knows. Jesus knew that He would endure worse so that we can receive better.

As I think about death, life, time -I know we all don’t know when our time is or how much time we have. I know that with any time I have that I must set my eyes on Jesus. He endured the cross because it would bring Him great joy to have us reconciled and saved. He is the author and finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:2). He knows the beginning and end of my story. I don’t know how the story will be written but I do know it ends well. The happy ending is in the happy place with Jesus. This is what it means to be ready. With Jesus, we are always ready. He knows.