“A woman once packed for a long trip. She folded her clothes, checked her shoes, gathered her medicine, charged her phone, and made sure her ticket was in her purse. Her family laughed and said, ‘You are getting ready awfully early.’
“She replied, ‘I would rather be ready too soon than not ready when it is time to leave’” (Anonymous).
That is a word for all of us today. We prepare for vacations, weddings, graduations, reunions, appointments, and retirement, but how many of us are preparing for the final trip? The Bible makes it clear that none of us will stay here forever. Hebrews 9:27, KJV, affirms, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” We don’t know the day, hour, or manner, but one day, every one of us must pack up and leave this world.
Some people live as if they have a lease on earth with no expiration date. They are mean, unforgiving, hateful, jealous, dishonest, and cruel, yet they assume Heaven is automatically theirs. However, Heaven is not entered by church attendance alone, family name, position,
money, good looks, or public reputation. Jesus said in John 14:6, ESV, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Therefore, what must we do to get on this train to Heaven?
First, we must accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9, ESV, declares, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” We cannot save ourselves. Only Jesus can!
Second, we must repent and turn from sin. Repentance means more than saying, “I’m sorry.” It means turning around. We cannot keep walking toward hell and claim we are packed for Heaven.
Third, we must love and forgive others. A heart full of hate is not dressed for glory. Jesus taught us to love one another, and real love must show up in how we treat people. Talking down to others and mistreating them is not Christlike.
Fourth, we must live ready every day. Matthew 24:44, ESV, declares, “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
One day, the roll will be called, the train will leave the station, our earthly house will be folded up, and eternity will begin. Consequently, when your name is called and it is time to go, will your soul be packed and ready to live with Jesus? Always abound in the faith, and never leave home without him!
