Having a loved one pass away is a sobering experience. No matter if the relationship was one of loving intimacy or marked by pain and resentment, the loss is real. More than the loss, it is always a stark reminder of how limited our time is (James 4:14; Psalm 90:12). The countdown is on. We are finite creatures with a guaranteed expiration date (Hebrews 9:27).
The question one must wrestle with in times like these is, what will you do with Jesus in the short time you have remaining? It’s one thing to lament the time wasted in our past, but it is unacceptable to waste the rest of our lives. Jesus didn’t suffer so that we could live a lazy life of ease and indifference (Romans 12:11).
If we aren’t active and intentional in our service to the Lord, what else can we call it but laziness? None of us like to be called lazy, least of all me, but how else do we explain our lack of commitment? We love Jesus. We believe in Him and are grateful beyond words for His grace and mercy. But not so much that it compels us to action. We recognize His sacrifice and that to this day He continues to intercede for us before the Father (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). We know what He did for us, but what will you do with Jesus?
The Bible often refers to the coming judgment as the harvest (Matthew 13:37-39; Luke 9:23-24). It’s interesting to note that Solomon wrote, “The slacker does not plow during planting season; at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing” (Proverbs 20:4). Having a lazy faith will not end well. If we do nothing for the Lord in the time He gifts to us, we should expect nothing from Him when He calls us to give an account of our lives (Romans 14:12). Each of us will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).
We call ourselves disciples of Jesus, but the mark of a disciple is that they look like their Master. Jesus was not lazy. He was not selfish and never sought comfort over the mission (Mark 10:45). There are many followers of Jesus, but they all fall away when they feel a threat to their comfort, security, or self-interests (John 6:66). Only disciples remain true, following Jesus no matter the cost (Luke 14:27). They follow even when it means death (Revelation 2:10).
What will you do with Jesus in the time you have left in this life? The world teems with multitudes who have never heard the good news of Jesus (Romans 10:14). Perhaps just as many have heard, even followed Him, but have stopped short of discipleship. Look around at the harvest. There’s an entire planet of people created in God’s image who are going to an eternal Hell (Matthew 25:46). Brothers and sisters, this should break our hearts and drive us to tears. If it doesn’t, maybe you are just a follower and not a disciple.
The clock is ticking. Your breaths are running out. Judgement is coming, and the sickle is in the reaper’s hand (Revelation 14:15). We will all face the Holy God, our Creator and our Lord (2 Corinthians 5:10). We have both a mission and a calling (2 Timothy 1:9; Matthew 28:18-20). Our life is not our own (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). In the time you have remaining, whether that is hours, days, or years, what will you do with Jesus?