As summer approaches, many of us will be planning a summer vacation to escape from our everyday world. We choose the destination, make the travel arrangements, purchase new clothes and count down the days until we depart. Vacations are great because they get us out of the normal. Sometimes we spend months and even years planning for that once in a lifetime vacation. It is good to have a plan, a purpose and a goal.
Recently, as I was flying back from Indiana, the airline pilot came on the loudspeaker and announced we were almost to our final destination. The thought ran through my head that if Baltimore is my final destination, I have missed something drastically. Although Baltimore is a beautiful city, it is not my final destination. Baltimore is a temporary destination, but heaven is my FINAL destination. So often we can get caught up in the details of our lives and forget what is temporary and what is final. The important thing to remember is why we are here and what our purpose is.
My question is, are you planning as much for your final destination as you are for upcoming events? We have all heard the airline attendant give the speech about exits, seat belts, tray tables and oxygen masks. In the event of a real emergency, however, you might not even have time to think about putting the mask on yourself before helping others. Life is fragile and we do not know when God will call us to our final destination.
I struggle when people say they are hesitant to share about God because they don’t want to offend anyone. Let’s face it, the world is an offensive place, not God! I wonder if God is offended when we know someone is lost in sin and yet we say or do nothing to encourage them with God’s love. It doesn’t mean we love the sin, it means we love the sinner like God loves us. If we believe in the truth of God, His Word, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, heaven and hell, isn’t it offensive to God that we would choose our personal comfort over another person’s soul? If someone had a loaded gun to their head what would you do? You would beg them to put the gun down and call 911 and get them some help. I know this may sound dramatic, but why are we so hesitant to do the same for family and friends who are unbelievers? Why wouldn’t we want to share the incredible message of God’s love with a dying world? Hope is a powerful weapon God gives us to use against the enemy because the devil can’t offer such a beautiful gift. Faith is a muscle that requires repetitive movement so others can see the power of God working in your life in and out of season. Sometimes it is hard to share your faith, but God has your back! He will give you all the instruction you will ever desire and when you need it!
Ultimately everyone will reach a final destination. I want to know I did my best to share God’s message of love and grace with everyone He has placed in my path. Otherwise, what was the point of it all? People may hate me or call me crazy, a lunatic and even want to run me out of town and kill me. I’m telling you, my FINAL destination is going to be out of this world, but until then I will keep preparing for the day and occupying my time for His purpose and sharing the news of God’s love, hope and grace!
