Have you ever stopped to consider that your life could end at any moment and that we have absolutely no control over when, where, or how we are going to die? I think if more of us had an aprpeciation for this it would affect the way that we live each day...especially for Christians. Of course, there is also the fact that we have no idea when Jesus will return. People often say "What would you want Jesus to find you doing if He returned today?" I don't hear much about what would we want to be doing just before we leave this world and go to Heaven, though. It isn't like God doesn't see what we are doing just because He hasn't returned to the earth.
The reason I bring this up is that I just heard about a man who died because he was trying to secure a souvenir for his son at a baseball game. See story here. And here. I can't imagine how his son, who was sitting next to him at the game, is feeling right now. I certainly hope that his family is Christian and that they will be relying upon the strength and comfort of God during this time of grief. That would also at least give a sense of peace in knowing that he is with Jesus now. Please pray for them during this time of grief.
I found it quite ironic that the man was a veteran fireman of 18 years...all of that time putting his life on the line to sacrifice for strangers in much more dire circumstances and he died reaching for a baseball for his son. I have lost my father and I know that there is no real consolation from the circumstances, but for me it is very touching that he died trying to do something special for his son...not that it would be less moving if he died trying to rescue somebody from a fire, but as a father I just found it touching. And even moreseo when you hear that all he was concerned about after falling was his son...he was asking many times for people to check on him.
I also can not begin to imagine how Josh Hamilton is feeling after all of this. He claims the name of Christ, so I am hoping that he will count upon the Lord for strength and wisdom in dealing with this. We need to be praying for him as well. He has quite a strong testimony, but also needs a lot of prayer to keep him from falling back into some of his old habits and to keep him focused on Jesus.
So, let us keep in mind that our life is like a vapor...here one moment, gone the next. We need to stay focused on Jesus and following Him every moment we have in this life. Shannon Stone spent the last moments of his life trying to put a smile on his son's face and then trying to ensure that he was OK. Very selfless...and very touching to this father.
That is so sad. I hope that he is a believer. If he is, then it is better for him to be with Christ than here. Even so, it must be terrible for the son right now. I have been missing my dad so much this week. It has been ten years since he passed away. It is so important to remember that "God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) I hope that this strengthens the family and helps them to grow closer to Christ.
ReplyDeleteThis post is so true. My husband and I receive many response cards from our tract bag ministry where people are asking when the return of Christ will be, who the Beast is and what the end times will be like. In our response to them we always turn it around to the Gospel and the fact that they are not promised another day. Their biggest concern is not the end times but on whether they are ready to meet Christ when they die which could be at any time. It's something I, myself need to be reminded of when I get caught up in worries about the future.
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteI hope the family is strengthened, too. We need to keep praying for them.
Charlene,
Thank you for spreading the Gospel and for keeping people focused on the fact that none of us are guaranteed another day. Just imagine how much we would all abide in Christ if we lived every moment like that!