“So out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air and brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name” (Genesis 2:19, NRSV).

“Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6, CEB).
 
     I spoke with a parent yesterday who minutes earlier left the kindergarten classroom after dropping her daughter off to school for the first time. Her tears reflected both the pain and pride she felt as her child took this major step toward independence. The emotionally charged transition denotes a season of hope combined with a deep sense of loss.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more” (Revelation 21:1, NRSV).

             As a Christian, what on earth am I here for? I’m not asking so much of an existential question, as one that is theological. If I believe in Jesus Christ and I am saved by faith rather than by works, then my ultimate hope is to return to my true home in heaven with the One who created me. However, what am I to do between my second birth in Christ and my eventual death? Am I simply buying time until the moment comes for me to cross the bar? Does what I do now and how I act in this life have any impact on the life to come?

     I saw a bumper sticker the other day that read, “Do you follow Jesus this close?” The message was clear. Maintain a sure clear distance from the car in front of you.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE CURRENT SERMON SERIES, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS OF REVELATION:  Revelation: 20-22; IN PREPARATION FOR THIS SUNDAY’S MESSAGE.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16, NIV).