What if the hour of the trumpet was now, and we would be departing from this earth as we know it?  What if the Bridegroom was now at hand to beckon us to come to Him and abandon all else?  What are the thoughts that go through our minds at the thought of this life being over?  Are there pursuits, pleasures or people which you would longingly look back to…reluctant and saddened to leave?  Would there be things yet undone (relationships, marriage, kids, vacations, accomplishments…life) which we would be saddened for not having done them.  Is the thought of departing to be with Christ eclipsed by what would no longer be with you or yours to enjoy anymore here on this earth? 

 

 

Where our minds go to things in this life, we are living like Lot’s wife (Genesis 19) where she revealed what she loved most as she looked back to Sodom and Gomorrah as God destroyed them…and was turned to a pillar of salt  She revealed there were things she loved more than God.  God commands, “Have no gods before me,” but we can do by loving other things when contemplating departing from all and having Him only.  “Do not love the world or the things of the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him.” 

 

 

For most of us, our hearts are mixed.  We must repent where we have loved this world (even if they are blessings) more than Christ.  We must cast down the idols in our hearts.  Be vigilant and radical…our souls are at stake.  Let us fight in prayer for Christ to truly be everything to us.  Let us pray, that we would with Paul, count everything as worthless compared to knowing Him.  God will give grace to the humble!