“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)
These are words from a letter that the aging Apostle Paul sent to his young protégé, Timothy, as he was coming to the end of his life and ministry.
Today I talked to Ed, a godly elder in his last days here on Earth. He spoke softly and calmly as he talked about the funeral plans. He knew he was dying, but he was more than ready for it. The conversation really moved me, and I started thinking about the others, the ones who step into eternity and aren’t ready for it, not like my friend Ed.
What would that be like, to cross the river without knowing what’s on the other side, and with no possibility of return? Or worse still, to
cross that river trusting in a belief that one finds to be false, but only after it’s too late to do anything about it. Those are not good scenarios.
Ed chose differently. Like the Apostle Paul, he based his belief on God’s Word and followed that faithfully. Now his time’s come to cross that river, and there’s no fear, dread, or apprehension—just a calm assurance as his feet touch the water.
Some sobering thoughts.
– Kene Jackson
Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.
Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org