Don’t Waste This Opportunity

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

Keep in mind that this world is not your home! You are living on borrowed time.

Today’s devotional reading: Luke 16:19-26

The place of torment is not meant for you. I often quote Jeremiah 29:11 because the Lord’s desire for us is made plain in that verse. As the Lord said to Jeremiah, He says to you, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

If God’s thoughts towards us were of evil, then He would have let mankind destroy itself long ago, well before you and I were ever a thought. Not only would the Lord have permitted us to destroy ourselves physically, He would also have then chosen to consume us in His wrath. Yet, Jesus told Nicodemus that God gave the world – all nations of people – His only begotten Son out of love (John 3:16).

You may not realize this in this moment because of all of the hatred and bitterness in our world, but a wonderful opportunity has been presented to all of us. God has given all of us an opportunity to be a recipient of His mercy. God is willing to pass over your sin so that you do not suffer His wrath if you are willing to accept His mercy and grace.

Many have lived their life as the rich man in Jesus’ story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man enjoyed his earthly treasures while disregarding God and the service of love and grace towards others. After his days were over, the rich man spent his time in the place of torments full of regret because He had disregarded the way of God. The man desired for Abraham to tell his people not to do as he had done while he was living.

Here’s your warning for today: Don’t do as him – don’t waste this day, this opportunity chasing after a temporary world and its riches. Sure, live for today, but remember that this world will pass away, and the day to come will be eternal. Which do you desire to dwell in: Paradise with the Lord or in eternal condemnation apart from the Lord? So, be sure that you also take into consideration the everlasting tomorrow and live for it.