Dying

Just a few weeks ago, I lost my 4th and last grandparent. It was a rough time for my family but as always we fused together and made it through together. We did whatever it took to get the whole family out for the funeral and I do not know how long it has been since we were all together last, it truly was a blessing. One very unfortunate part of living is that in the end we all die, the question that has been debated for ages is what happens after we die? Well, I believe that there is a heaven and hell, followers of Christ (as outlined in the Bible) will ultimately go to heaven. Anyone who is not a follower goes to hell, simple enough right? Once again, maybe not so much when it comes to a definite answer. Nobody likes to think of hell as somewhere in which their loved one might spend eternity but the hard truth is that it is a possibility and it does happen. People die everyday and for some people it seems to be that they are just another speck of dust that has been kicked up by the wind but it is so much more than that and a soul needs to have more value than that. No one should ever feel alone in this world whether they are actually alone or they have a ton of friends. I have found myself in both positions and it is never fun. There are many people out in the world who are lost and dying and as Christians it is our duty to step in and provide hope for them whether they just need someone to lean on or we can provide the hope of Christ to them as well.

Reggie Dabbs spoke at North Central during my first year there and unfortunately I was not able to hear him. The good thing is that we have chapel sermon archives and his message is one of my favorites when it comes to evangelism. One of his most emphasized points in the sermon was out of Mark 5:27 and it states, "When she heard about Jesus..." and he made it rather clear and pointed out that someone had told her about Jesus and that is why she was in the position that she was in. If they never hear a clear message or never get a real opportunity, then how can they ever decide whether to go to heaven or hell? As a Christian, I can sit back and condemn people based on the fact that I do nothing to try and change them. John 3:17, "For God did not send his Son into the world, but to save the world through him." God does not want to condemn people nor did he put Christians in the world to show people their flaws, he has placed Christians on earth to show others how to live. Now it is kind of funny when we think of showing others how to live. Usually we take that statement to imply that Christians show others that how to do "the right things." I actually agree with that idea but I think it is more than that, I think we are to show people the joy and benefits of living life in Christ. The idea of truly living rather than just passing through this life with nothing but shattered dreams and the conception that everything sucks. I believe we create our own opportunities and we have the power to do whatever we want with the tools that we have been given by our creator. We all serve a purpose but we have the opportunity to waste it, never think that you cannot do what you feel called to do, keep pushing and find what you have been designed for and strive to be the best that you can be at it.

Everywhere I go, I see people dying, dying for truth, hope, peace, comfort, and love. They are desperate for something and I know that there is one man, one savior who has paid the price and opened the door for them to experience what they are lacking. I hope that you will pray for those that you know and even those that you do not know who are headed for destruction. God will greatly bless you because of it and he might just open a door for you to change somebody's life for eternity.

Thanks again for reading, I hope this has been insightful for you and I hope that you will continue to read and allow God to speak to you on a daily basis. I am praying for those that read this and hope that God will continue to use you in a mighty way.

God Bless,

Joseph Robinson