Planning Ahead

Ask an insurance salesman if everyone needs life insurance and “chances are,” they’ll say yes. Question a CPA or financial advisor and see if they are convinced every person should have a Roth IRA, 401k or some kind of nest egg … and undoubtedly, they’ll say yes. Ask your local fire department if every home should have an escape route, just in case of a fire. What you might learn is, not only will a firefighter adamantly say yes, they’ll actually come to your home to install smoke detectors and help you practice exit drills.

Perhaps you’re wondering what these three occupations have in common and why I mention them? The answer is this; in each case it is the duty of the person in question to help you plan ahead. It is their unenviable position to convince you to look beyond today, to what potentially lies on the horizon. Or, simply stated, it is their function to get you to think about the eventualities none of us like to consider. The usefulness of these individuals and their counsel is not always immediately seen. In fact, it is often undervalued. That is, until their long-term efforts have proven beneficial. Many widows have been greatly helped by the decision to maintain life insurance, when a loved one unexpectedly died. Countless older couples find peace of mind knowing their financial situation is secure, because years ago someone helped them think long-term. Finally, only God knows how many lives have been saved because of the heroic actions of our first responders by not only fighting house fires, but helping prepare families in case of just such an emergency.

I mention these particular occupations because to some degree, they are analogous to the responsibilities of those of us in the Gospel ministry. Similar to the examples listed above, it is the burden of a pastor to help you prepare for the future. Or, to help you think long-term. Not materially or financially (necessarily), but primarily to spiritually prepare for what is certain, and what is uncertain. Even if people foolishly pretend there is no danger, and like the proverbial ostrich, stick their heads in the sand; there are explicit inescapable events all of humanity must face. Death and judgment await us all (Hebrews 9:27) and none of us know when. Reader, you will stand before God one day. You are accountable to your Creator. You may dislike this reality, you may reject it, or even think it foolish and naïve, yet it doesn’t change the inevitability of what will transpire. Therefore, it is incumbent upon you to give serious thought to the needs of your own soul.

However, simply thinking about the future, or contemplating the afterlife, is not enough. If you truly want to be prepared for life after death, then you must place your faith in the finished work of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus lived, died and rose again that we might have everlasting life! At Calvary’s cross, he bore the sin debt of all who would ever trust in Him. Now, all those who by faith have embraced the Messiah, stand perfectly righteous before God. There is no better way to prepare for the future, than to make sure your soul is secure!

Maybe you will live to be a 100, but maybe not. Either way, eventually death will come. Maybe your fiscal situation is secure, and you have all the money you will need for retirement, or maybe not? Who knows what the Dow Jones is going to do? Hopefully, you’ll never need that fire extinguisher under your sink, or know the pain of watching your home burn to ashes. Yet, the sad reality is, we just don’t know what may happen. I realize this sounds morbid, gloomy even. But unfortunately, life in a fallen world is filled with unknowns. Which is exactly why we must be ready, and not just materially and fiscally. How foolish indeed, for someone to prepare for every possible earthly contingency, but not prepare for the certainty of eternity!

It is not my intention to try and scare you into Christianity, or to use fear to manufacture faith. I am however, trying to help you prepare for the future. By committing your life to Christ, you can have a present that is filled with hope and peace; and a future that is certain and secure! I’m not a financial consultant, but that sure sounds like a wise investment to me!