ARE YOU REALLY READY?

Dearly Beloved, ARE YOU REALLY READY? “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 NKJV). “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Timothy 4:6 KJV). I had a minor surgical operation recently. The surgeon had assured me that it would be a minor one. However, the recent death of a colleague in a similar scenario is still fresh in my memory. So, as I was ushered into the outer room of the operating theatre of the hospital for the operation and was clothed with a special garment, and as the surgeon and the supporting medical personnel were preparing the place for the operation, I was praying within me, confessing my sins, and making my ways right before God in anticipation for the worst. I was not afraid of death though. My favourite Bible verse is Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (NKJV). Nonetheless, I still prepared myself for any eventuality that might arise from the surgical operation. Thanks be to God, the operation was successful, and I am hearty and hale now. It was a rare privilege to be consciously faced with possible death and have the time to amend one’s ways before God. Few people are having such privilege because on many occasions, death does not announce its coming. It can come at any time to take either the young or the old. It may even leave the terminally sick and take the healthy one! No one knows when it will be his/her turn. Nevertheless, one certainty of life is that everyone will die one day; only the day is uncertain. The uncertainty of the day of the certainty of death ought to make every one be ready for it every day, not only when one is faced with the possibility of death. Apostle Paul who made the statement in Philippians 1:21 had earlier said on many occasions that his life was nothing to him, and he was ready to die (see Acts 20:24; 21:13; 2 Corinthians 5:6-9). No wonder, he could accomplish much for God. He repeated it that he was ready to die at the tail end of his ministry on earth (see 2 Timothy 4:6). It is unfortunate that many people are not ready for death. They are living as if they will not face death one day. However, it is certain, even from experience, that death is inevitable. The writer of the book to the Hebrews emphatically said: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (9:27 NKJV). Are you really ready for this? Since the opportunity is very rare to know when you will possibly or eventually die, are you ready for death NOW? This is what many people do not want to hear nor admit! But, death is inevitable. Are you ready for it? Anyone who is not ready to die is not ready to live! Are you really ready? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will always be ready for death as you go about your day-to-day activities in life.