In this past week thousands of people, including small children, have died in Pakistan because of a cyclone which struck there. Forty-three people have died in a tragic airplane crash. Many more have just died recently from car accidents. Will you be next?
Has it ever crossed your mind that tomorrow you may not be living anymore? God may call you home at any time, whether you are prepared or not. This idea may not seem pleasant to you. Maybe you have finally saved up enough money for that beautiful car you’ve ben longing to have. Or maybe you have gotten that special girl or guy to finally notice you. Would you be willing to leave all that you have, all that you love here on this earth, for death? Some may say, “Oh, I won’t die now. I’m too young and busy and can’t be bothered by it. Wait until I become old and gray and then I will think about death.” But death cannot be put off like that.
Instead, we must be eager to leave this wicked world. We should not love life here on this earth and all earthly material things. As Paul says in I Corinthians 6:19, “What, know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” We are not here for our own personal glory and pleasures, but only to fulfill God’s purpose in us – to praise and glorify His Name. If we keep this in mind, death is beautiful and not something to be feared. For it is only through death that we shall come to live with our Savior, Jesus Christ, and praise and glorify God forever.
Will you be next to die? Are you ready?

Originally Published in:
Vol. 30 No. 9 January 1971