They're saying that at least 150,000 Haitians died in that monster quake. Imagine - 150,000 people who were here one day and gone the next day. It's staggering! But something hit me when I heard that death toll. More than 150,000 people go into eternity every day on this planet - ready or not.
It seems so devastating when that many die in one area, at one time. But when it happens each day, one life at a time all over the world, it doesn't make the headlines. The toll is just as tragic. Especially if you're not ready for what happens on the other side of your last heartbeat.
I've heard lots of guesses about what happens after death. Guess is the right word, because only God Himself can tell us what's next after this life ends. I'm grateful that He has.
He says in the Bible, "Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). That's judgment as in having to answer for everything we've done that displeases God. The list of lies we've told, people we've hurt, selfish things we’ve done, dirty things we've thought or done, and the countless times we've just ignored or marginalized God. Well, we have a lot to answer for.
No matter what religion you are or how devoutly you practice it, "No one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law (God's highest standard - Romans 3:20). That's why Jesus came. That's why Jesus was butchered on the cross. "This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son...as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:9-10). And there's no better news than this: "He loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood" (Revelation 1:5).
Another 150,000 men and women will die in our world today. It tears me up to think how many do not know the only One who can make us ready - heaven or hell for tens of thousands today, tomorrow, and every day.
God's command is to "snatch others from the fire and save them" (Jude 23) jumps off the page for me. It's not just a verse. It's an order. It's a life. There's so much to do...so many lives to reach...and so many who slip away every day. Lord, please show me how I can make the greatest possible difference with the rest of my life.