The last few weeks of the COVID-19 crisis have brought new meaning to preparedness. It started with people hoarding face masks and hand sanitizer. Now it’s hard to find meat, eggs and, of course, toilet paper.
People want to be ready.
Yesterday President Trump warned that 100,000-240,000 Americans could lose their lives to the COVID-19 virus. That is a staggering number.
240,000!
It could be me. It could be a family member. It could be someone you love. It could be you.
I couldn’t help but wonder if those 100,000-240,000 are ready.
Of course, no one wants to die and even to talk about death feels morbid. But for those 100-240k there is no question more relevant right now.
Over the next 4-6 weeks, will they be ready?
COVID-19 has proved people’s natural instinct to prepare, stock up, and get ready for significant events.
What if people had that same sense of urgency for the end of their life? The last breath you take is an even more significant day for which to be ready. Are you ready for that day?
It would be a tragedy to be more prepared for COVID-19 than it would be to be for eternity.
How to be Ready!
This reality isn’t only relevant to the 100-240k over the next few weeks. All of us need to be ready for that day.
All of us have a virus that is much deadlier than COVID-19. This virus is called sin. It didn’t come to us randomly. We rebelled against God and have been cut off from Him. As Isaiah 53:6 says,
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way”
We will have to give an answer for the way we have chosen to live. Everyone who has sinned has fallen short of the glory of God and is cut off from Him – headed for hell.
Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.“
The “but” is the good news. There is a cure. But it doesn’t come through your own effort or preparations. You can’t stock up on good works to get into heaven. It is a gift of God.
The ONLY cure is Jesus Christ.
Jesus came from heaven to earth to rescue you from sin, death, and judgment. Jesus is the only one not to be infected by sin. He lived a perfect life and offered Himself as a pure, righteous sacrifice for you and me on the Cross. After His death, He was raised from the dead to prove He is the cure to sin and death and there is hope for life after death.
The only way you can be ready for that day is to turn away from yourself, your sin, and your own preparations and trust in Jesus as your Savior.
Are you ready?
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves”.
Hebrews 9:27 says,“it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”
That is a day we all will face. I don’t know when my last breath will be. I don’t know when yours might be. Whether it comes peacefully after a long life or suddenly over the next few weeks, I want you to be ready.
Turn and trust in Jesus Christ. Receive the cure.
Not only will you be made ready for that day, but you will also have the opportunity to spread the cure to others!
One of the most inspiring pictures I’ve seen was of a bunch of doctors and nurses on an airplane flying from Georgia to New York City so they could help. The sacrifice and service for others in inspiring!
That can be you!
Once you are in Christ you will not only be ready for your last day, but in the meantime, you become a spiritual medic who can bring the hope and healing of Jesus to others.
You’ll be ready and you’ll help others be ready!
Put it into Practice:
Are you ready? Do you have friends or family members who you aren’t ready yet?
You may have loved ones with whom it is unclear where they stand in their faith in Christ.
What would you say to them?
I love the 3 Circles illustration to share the Gospel.
Watch this video to see how I share it. I hope it can be a good resource for you to help you in your faith in Jesus and help you pass on the Good news to others.
Let me know what types of conversations you’ve been having about faith lately!
