It is appointed. . .

Hebrews 9:27 is clear. Everyone faces the reality of separation from this life and transition to the life to follow. For many that will be the glory of God’s presence in the place we call Heaven. For other, separation from God forever in a place we call Hell.

I never ceased to be amazed how close death is. This very afternoon on the busy freeway, two, two-wheeled rockets burned past me at what was without a doubt speeds approaching 100 miles per hour. What are they thinking. . . . Death is inches, one heartbeat, a tiny mistake away. Soldiers lined up to begin a journey toward a battlefield where death is so prevalent, struck down in an instant at their home base, friendly territory, by a colleague, or even, perhaps, a friend. My friend, in the hospital,  was working quiet and serene in his garage and awoke hours later in a hospital bed, by the grace of God still alive.

“It is appointed to mankind once to die. . . .”  It is so close to all of us. Are you ready?