Please take a moment to do this for me. 
Close your eyes. What do you see? What can you see? What can you not see? It’s dark. You have no idea what’s on the other side of your eyelids when you open them. You believe you will see what you saw prior to closing your eyes, but you do not know. Do you feel alone in this moment of darkness? Do you feel at peace?  Is it quiet? Or is your mind racing?

Close your eyes. You are left to deal with your thoughts, your spirit and your life. 

Close your eyes. Do you feel scared? Honestly, you are horrified because of the uncertainty and all of the questions you have now, and have had for some time. You knew it was going to happen. You just did not know how or when. You know what you have heard. You know what you have read, but realistically, you are not ready. You don’t want to. All that you have known, exists on the other side of your eyelids, with your eyes open. You are unfamiliar with the world behind your eyelids when they are closed. 

Close your eyes. What if they do not open again, and now, you’ll be introduced to something you’ve only read about? Who is going to take care your family? Your bills? There are so many unrealized dreams. So many places you desired to visit. So many unspoken words of “I love you” or “forgive me” or “let’s settle this” to those who may have been hurt by your forwardness. 

You meant well (I mean…well..to say what you wanted and how you wanted) but well was not received. After all, people know what you are all about. If a person does not want the truth, do not ask you, because irregardless of how it comes out- “it’s the truth.” Like it or love it. Take it or leave it. 

Here is an interesting thought. Not once, or  just for a moment, did you think that if you put pride down, whether you were wrong or not, that your Father would be glorified in your efforts to live peacefully with all, as He requires. Not once did you think to allow the peace of God to rule in your heart so that you may be clear to freely worship and freely compel. 

Now, your eyes are closed and they – Just. May. Not. Open. Again. 

Close your eyes. What do you see? Are you really prepared for what awaits you on the other side? Because this time, when you open your eyes, it is for eternity. Oh, and by the way, a proud look is one thing God cannot stand so surely we cannot possibly think that God will allow something He hates to abide in this new Heaven  and New Earth that He is preparing for those who are preparing themselves now. I mean seriously, if we cannot freely worship here on this earth without turning up noses and rolling eyes and murmuring and comparing and complaining about one another, do we truly believe that Jesus  will allow these acts of pride to exist in Heaven? Do we really feel we will have “groups” of people we can tolerate and others we cannot in Heaven? 😳🙆🏽

Close your eyes. Pause for 3 minutes. Imagine opening them to eternal life or eternal death. Are you ready to really receive the destiny you have chosen?

We navigate through life as if we have control over the number of days we will sojourn here. The reality is, we have no idea! 

Can you imagine going into the hospital for what you thought was a common cold or routine treatment, or for a “typical” treatable injury or symptom, to now the circumstances being life-threatening and the doctor plainly telling you that You. Are. About. To. Die?

Imagine lying on the hospital bed, sobbing, curled into a ball like a newborn child. Thoughts of why, what-ifs and what-abouts. Loved ones and friends creating Call-to-actions for prayers and hands-laid and fasting and agreements on your behalf, but it’s too late. 

If you’re reading this now, the blessing is that the Lord granted you with two gifts today: The  ability to open both of your eyes. What are you going to do with your second chance? Will you make peace now, or take a chance, playing Russian roulette with your life, to see if you are afforded the opportunity to ask for forgiveness on your death bed? 

Live with compassion. Be forgiving. Be kind. Be genuinely concerned. We know there are those who will twist and turn every positive thing you do into something negative but that is okay and to be expected. We are in the world. That is the way of the world. Love came into the world by way of God, through Jesus Christ- so why get upset? 

They are showing you who they are. Now you show them who you are. 

Death is real. But so is life. It’s as close to us as the inability to open our eyes again. 

Open your eyes and live. 

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:8-10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬