So, let me fill you in on a little secret I don’t discuss with very many people. I’m dying.  I’ve known it for a while but I don’t like to think about it.  Toying with thoughts of mortality is depressing for most.  I’m no exception.  Let me fill you in on another secret.  You’re dying too. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us of that. Every day lived puts us one day closer to death.  Even in cases when someone is diagnosed with a fatal sickness, they don’t know when it will happen but know, eventually, it will happen.  If we really knew the exact time and day do you think it would change how we live our lives?  I’m going to go out on a limb and say, YES, it would affect every decision we make.  So, knowing we will all eventually die why do we live so haphazardly?  Many find momentary joy by living ‘in the moment.’  In my opinion, this seems like a waste.  Personally, I don’t want to reach the end of my life in fifty or more years knowing I didn’t live with God-led purpose.  Walking through life with no direction is bad stewardship of what He has entrusted to us.

I’m learning we need to plan for death like we plan for vacation. Seems a little awkward, huh?  Think about it.  When it’s time to plan for vacation we do so with an end destination in mind.  Over the next few weeks/months (even years, in some cases) we focus our lives in a way that gets us to our end goal.  Shouldn’t life be that way?  Rather than walking through life with no direction we should live each day with Godly purpose.  We know where the final destination is (at least I hope we do-if not, you and I need to have a conversation).  If we lived as each day was our last we would love more, appreciate what we have instead of worrying with what we don’t have, we would forgive and ask forgiveness sooner rather than later, we would let go of things (hurts, frustrations, etc.) that have no value, we would play with our kids more, we would enjoy life more…..we would live differently!  Each day we’re alive we are writing the eulogy for our funerals.  If we were to die today, what would be said?  I’m not referring to the nice stuff the minister is expected to say.  The truth!  What would your co-workers, wife, children, family, and those closest to you say?  Would there be anyone there to tell the story of how we led them to Christ, and how thankful they were for that?  Would there be anyone there to tell the story of how we loved them unconditionally regardless of how unworthy they were of such love?  What do you want your eulogy to say?  Seriously, take a few minutes and think about it.  Write it down.  Now—go live those words!  Be purposeful, resolute, and persistent in every action, word, and deed.  It’s possible your next breath could be your last.

Closing remarks and encouragement: We don’t like to think about death.  It’s uncomfortable and leaves us feeling helpless to the inevitable.  Are you frustrated with the way life is going?  Change it!  Live with purpose and Have no regrets!  The sky is the limit.  Go live!  More importantly, go make an impact for the kingdom!

Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV) —  ^“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…”