One day you will die.. then what??

One day you will die … then what? Those two words – then what – deserve much more attention than many of us give them. Out of sight, out of mind seems to be a popular approach to dealing with what lies beyond this life. Even for those who have faith in Christ, the life to come can have only minimal impact on the life we live now. The biblical calls for commitment, devotion and sacrifice go largely unanswered by too many of us. A popular response is not a no; it is a but. We don’t often tell God no. We just give God a but that is tied to an excuse. I want to but I don’t have the time. I want to but I don’t have the opportunity. I want to but I don’t have the training. I want to but I don’t have the right encouragement. I want to but you don’t know what I’ve been through. Perhaps it is time to change what your but is related to. For some, our buts are closely related to our circumstances when they should be more closely related to that moment when we die. For example, it might be better to start saying things like this … It is hard but it is worth it because it is pleasing to God. It is not what I would have chosen but I embrace it to bring glory to God. I would rather not think about it but thinking about eternity is essential. In a number of places, the Bible guides us in making a change regarding what our buts are related to. “… people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…” (Heb. 9:27) "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’” (Luke 12:20)When we live with eternity in mind it changes the way we see the hard stuff of life. Paul says it this way in Romans 8:18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." I know you have a but. The question is, what are you using it for? When our buts are used as reminders that one day, we will die and then we must give an account of our lives to God, they help us raise the bar on our discipleship.