Kobe Bryant. I don’t have to say much more than that do I? Good man, father, husband. Revered as a professional basketball player and philanthropist. Killed suddenly – unexpectedly – senselessly. The country is in shock. Pray for his family. Death is always a tragic thing. But sudden – accidental death always leaves people wondering why. Perhaps questioning God and the idea that He is a compassionate – caring God. But here is a fact to ponder. None of us are not guaranteed the next second, minute, hour, day, month or year.
We do not know when, where, or how we will die. We do not know if it will be in a helicopter crash, automobile, walking down the street, sitting on our sofa, sleeping in our bed, suffering after a horrific illness, even if we will dies when we are young, when we are old. We just don’t know. But what we do know is that physical death is inevitable and inescapable. That is a fact. My generation is the next to pass “en masse”. The older you get the more aware you are of the frailty of your life. But when someone like Kobe Bryant dies, like he did, people are shocked into the reality that there is no guarantee of tomorrow.
So what to do.
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” —Ephesians 5:15-17
How we live our lives is more important than how much life we live. Quality versus quantity. If you believe there is a heaven and the promise of eternal life in heaven is true, then there is more to your existence than the years you walk this planet. But as we are walking, we are to walk circumspectly. Aware of our God-given purpose after we become one of God’s own by faith in Jesus. Just read the Bible to see what God’s intent for us is.
“And he (a certain rich man) thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’.” – Luke 12:17-20
Be careful where you lay up your treasure, your devotion, your confidence. All that the world has to offer will not matter when you pass from life on this earth. King Solomon said it – after all he had achieved – wealth – power – fame – his conclusion - “All is vanity.” So, in the context of eternity and the God of heaven – what really matters. Dr. James Dobson spoke at a Promise Keepers Conference in 1993 in Boulder, Colorado. His speech was titled “Trashing Your Trophies”, he said that when we are all facing eternity – fame – wealth – achievement – none of it will matter – only relationships – with other people and with the Lord. Don’t wait until then to come to that conclusion. “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity – while you still have breath.” Before someone says "Did you hear what happened to …..?"
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” – Jude 24-25
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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