Last Days
I’ve kind of felt like I was in those days, the last few days of this year. I ended up sleeping in a hotel room and left with a stiff neck, which has caused the worst debilitating headaches I have experienced in years, but that is not specifically what I wanted to comment on. As the year 2025 winds down, there are many people trying to put their financial house in order. They do their charity giving to get a break on taxes. Businesses want to close the books and so all spending must be accounted for. Maybe there are projects that we are trying to finish. Some feel the need to drain the accounts to zero so that they can receive more next year for that account. Surgeries, doctor’s appointments, etc. are done if the insurance will pay more this year. I am amazed at all the things people will do to get themselves ready for the New Year but watch them fail miserably in being prepared for the Last Days (spiritually). Our finances may be in order, but far too many people are completely unprepared to meet Jesus. God has no desire to check out our stock portfolio or what we have in the bank. He doesn’t care how successful we have been in the business world, or even how much money we have given to charity. What does He care about?... your heart and soul. We measure our preparedness to face the last days, not in what we have done, but in whether we have entrusted our hearts to Him. Just as we go to an Accountant to get our finances in order, we can go to specific people in our church to help with our spiritual readiness. The difference is, no matter how hard you try, you may still run out of money, whereas the deeper our walk is with God, the more assurance we have for eternity with Him. You might ask someone, “Are you ready for Christmas” and they might answer, “Yes”. You can ask if they are ready for a new year, and they might answer, “Yes”. But ask them if they are ready for Jesus' return, most will either look confused or maybe say, “I think so”. Which preparedness is the most important? So, what are we doing about it? We need to be praying for boldness to speak up passionately about our faith. We need to speak up when others take God’s name in vain. Why would someone want to serve a God we don’t seem to respect? Invite friends, family, neighbors etc. to church. Father, prepare us to walk by faith here on earth and to have a heart for other lost souls that are not ready. Amen