Are You Ready?

Today is August 12th. It was two years ago today that my Dad died. As I sat in my spot this morning, I felt like the Lord asked me if I was ready... Ready to die, Lord? Ready to go Home... My Dad's physical body died on August 12th, 2005 but he is more alive today than he has ever been! Dad was ready! Dad was a good man but the facts are that you can never be good enough to enter heaven on your own merit. We all fall so desperately short. But Dad also knew that God sent His only Son to remedy that. Jesus lived the sinless life we could never live. He laid down His life to pay the penalty for our sins. He rose to life again as Victor over death and Dad welcomed that pardon.

So how did I answer the Lord this morning? Am I ready? Yes. I'm ready. There were a number of sins that I laid before the Lord this morning... and there will undoubtedly be a number more tomorrow but He forgives me! I've admitted my own insufficiency and accepted His merciful pardon! From my gratitude, I will try my best to honor the One who pardoned me but the pressure is off! He knows I am but a child and He's adopted me as His own.

Dad went home that day! To his "mansion just over the hilltop in that bright land where we'll never grow old". Someday, I will too. And I know I will be received in. Am I worthy? No way, but I've embraced the One who is and someday I'm going HOME.

What about you? Are you ready?

In My Father's house there are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you: for I am going away to prepare a place for you. And when I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. And where I am going, you know the way. Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me."

John 14:2-6