Two years ago I lost my brother and once again I was reminded. Ten years ago we were in the middle of cancer treatment with our then thirteen year old daughter, and I was reminded. Many of you remember the cancer struggles with my sister and her dying at age forty-four. During that time I was certainly reminded! Cancer has been cruel to our family with my mother also dying of cancer at age forty-three. Often over the past many years, and more frequently as I get older, I am reminded of the frailty of life and I ponder the questions: "What if this day was my last? Would I have any regrets?"
John the Baptist discovered the uncertainty of each moment of life as he sat in prison.
I guess they call me John the Baptist because I preached a message of repentance and baptized with water while pointing the way to Jesus John 1:31-33. The Baptist isn't such a bad name. I could have been called "John the Wearer of Camel Hair" or "John the Eater of Locusts."
King Herod must be mad at me for exposing his sin of marrying his brother's wife Matthew 14:3-4. I sure wish I was back in the desert preaching, but God must have a plan for me here in prison. I think Herod actually likes me. He often listens to me talk and seems genuinely interested Mark 6:20. It's pretty loud in the palace tonight. They must be having quite a party.
"On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, 'Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.' The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison."Matthew 14:6-10
Wow, that was fast! No time to say good-bye or write letters to my friends - no time to even gather my thoughts - just, "lean over and put your neck on the block." I sure wish I would have.....
No one knows when they will breathe their last. We may have sixty years or sixty minutes; but no matter how long we have, it will seem to pass in an instant. It amazes me how fast life passes by. The time to place our saving faith in Jesus is NOW! The time to restore relationships and encourage others with the gospel is NOW! The time to enjoy our family is NOW! And the time to praise God for His blessings and grace is absolutely NOW!!
Each of us enters this day with things we wish we could change, decisions and words which have not been honoring to God. But each of us also enters this day with the ability to begin, right this very moment, to live a life which glorifies God in all we do. Let's begin today to live fully committed to following Christ. Let's give Him our ALL and live toward an end which will leave no regrets.
- steve troxel
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