Are You Ready to Die?

 

Am I ready to die? Five days later, that is the only thing that I have really pondered about this accident.

 

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment…(Hebrews 9:27)

 

I had arrived home from an afternoon out with my children and some of their friends. We pulled into the driveway, parked, and five of the ten children had already gotten out of the van.

 

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…(Romans 3:23)

 

KA–RACKK!!! “Wha…???”

 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…(Proverbs 1:7)

 

The noise was loud on top of us, like an atmospheric exclamation point, and our heads ducked upon impact. My 15yo yelled, “Get down!” The other children were screaming…

 

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:6-7)

 

Then there was an instant crashing, smashing, tinkling of glass as the limb–very thick, very solid–bounced from the rooftop and crushed the edge of the side of the van too, completely breaking the window behind me and showering my daughter with glass.

 

...be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5)

 

The children were still screaming, and the air felt weighty. The roof was caved in lengthwise like a hot dog bun. We waited, in shock, waiting for…I don’t know what, exactly…but we waited a moment.

 

And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick… (Luke 5:31)

 

Eyes pleading to me, I calmly told them to carefully exit the van and to get away from it. I assigned duties: to unbuckle and take out the toddler, to grab the groceries…

 

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared…(Titus 3:4)

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:16)

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3)

 

Neighbors came running. They had all heard the horrible noise. They were horrified we had been in the van. They took pictures, and took time to look after us, too.

 

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Cor 5:21)

 

No one was hurt, except some minor cuts and scratches. Two of the children were in shock. I tended to them, giving them comfort, love, rescue remedy, a bath…

 

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God…(1 Peter 3:18)

 

Our friends loaned us a car so that our family could attend services that Sunday, two days later. It didn’t escape my attention how amazing it was that I was still there. Still in the pew, still worshiping the Lord. Still here for another day. People reacted in different ways. But one saint grabbed me by the arms with tears in her eyes, and fervently said, “I’m so glad you’re saved.”

 

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved... (Acts 16:31)

 

The van was towed away yesterday. That was the nearest I came to tears. The Holy Spirit is indeed the Comforter, the One that gives reassurance of salvation, of peace, of grace. Tom and I quietly celebrated our 23rd anniversary.

 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…(Ephesians 2:8)

 

This is what I know. I have today, this moment. There is nothing in this world I need more than Jesus, and He is mine.

 

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)

 

This is your one, precious, life. This is your one, precious, day…the day of your salvation. Will you be right with God? For we all must die, we must all answer for the sins we’ve committed. God gives grace to the humble, to the repentant, but rightly demands law and justice to the proud.

 

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (Revelation 3:3)

 

Are you ready to die? Consider your ways, friends, and make sure you are in the faith. For you never know when your time will come. As for me and my house, we are thankful for His mercy, and we will continue to follow and serve Him.

 

Blessings,