Time's Up!

Today, I celebrated my 23rd birthday. In this special day, I am always reminded that God brought me into this world for a purpose.. to be a son, a brother, a friend and a minister. But parallel to this day, there is one occasion that is equally notable. It is said in the Word, "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment," (Hebrews 9:27). Death is another event that we should all look forward to - a day we should all be celebrating in advance. The thought of it may seem weird and freaky if you take it with a faithless heart. Some would probably ask, "Why would you hurry death? Aren't you happy with your life? Don't you want to enjoy your youth?". But that's not the point. Just as how we anticipate the day of our birth, we should be preparing for the day of our death. For it is not the end of the book. It is only a ticket to another chapter of our existence. And this chapter has 2 versions - the chapter of eternal life and the chapter of eternal death. God has already drafted the perfect plots for our life stories - plots that will lead to the chapter of salvation. However, the enemy will do everything to mess up the flow of the story with its own schemes. It will deceive you and direct you to the wicked plots that will only lead to the chapter of damnation. While we live on earth, we are given free will - the rationale to confirm which is holy and evil; the option to choose which plots we are going to realize. Which chapter do you wish to close your book with?
To most of unbelievers, the idea of death is a fearful notion - as they are immensely troubled by uncertainty. For they doubt if there really is life after death because if there truly is, they are uncertain where they are headed to. But to believers like me, the view of it brings excitement. It's the event that Christians are all looking forward to - the last episode before our reunion with the Father. We are patiently waiting to hear from the Master, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!" (Matthew 25:21).
While I'm waiting for this day, I indulge myself in the beauty of life. I don't look forward to it as a means to escape from life's troubles. For it can't be compared to the joy that's coming. It's just a dark before the brightest morning. So I choose to fight the good fight until that day I reunite with my Creator. Everyday is an opportunity to magnify God's glory and majesty - to honor Him through the works of my hands. As I pray before sleep, I always thank God for another day, another chance to display His wonder. I thank Him in advance should I be given a new day to experience His beauty. And as I wake up in the morning, I praise Him with my very first breath.
Someone said one of the richest places on earth, if not the richest, is the cemetery. Why? Because in this place, there's a lot of treasures that were left unclaimed - songs unsung, poems unwritten, masterpieces unaccomplished, dreams unfulfilled. God's plan is to prosper us through our giftings. He blessed us with skills and talents to utilize them and use them for our prosperity. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) said the Lord. Let us not be complacent and claim this promise of God as we learn of it. Seek and pray for His divine guidance to show you the way to His will. And as we aim for prosperity, we should also be mindful that the first thing to prosper should be inside of us. For "what good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:36). Prosperity is contentment. Contentment is of the heart - it brings peace and joy. Ever wonder why there's a lot of rich people whose lives are in great disarray and chaos? Why they just can't live peacefully and joyfully? Now you know. These people are wealthy with earthly possessions but their spirits are corrupted. They will never be contented. For they haven't claimed their spiritual treasures.
Remove that spirit of negligence in your heart and ask God to replace it with the spirit of enthusiasm. Don't reason that God will never take away that chance from you - that there will be some other time to turn back to Him. Surely, God's grace will never fall short but until when are you going to play with Him? You will always be certain that He will forgive you whenever, but you will never be certain when your time will be up! Death comes like a thief in the night.
Why are you delaying? Why don't you claim His promise as early as now? Imagine the great things awaiting you? Why do you settle with less if you can get more? If the Father can give His only begotten son for you, why can't He give all the desires of your heart?