Plenty of Time

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Proverbs 27:1

"I'm going to live to be 100!" Many people have made that or similar brash statements when asked about their futures. Everyone knows that life can be cut short, but most seem to assume that it can't happen to them. The truth is far different. There are plenty of people in cemeteries all around the world that thought that same thing. Everyone thinks that they have plenty of time, but time has a way of slipping away from us.

Anyone who has ever procrastinated on a project or assignment at work or school can testify to that last sentence. What begins as seemingly more than enough time slowly, but surely, ticks down until the deadline seems to be breathing down one's neck. The decision to wait because there was "plenty of time" has been a thorn in the flesh of countless people.

When it comes to life, there's an added level of uncertainty. When dealing with an assignment at work or school, we deal with known deadlines. Life doesn't work that way. Not only do we not always know when things will happen, but often, we have no idea as to what will happen. Even when we have plans to do a certain thing at a certain time, the unexpected has a way of creeping in and forcing a change to those plans.

Sometimes the things that change on us don't have a big impact in the long run. It could be a simple visit to a friend or family member or a lunch meeting that has to be cancelled or rescheduled. In a case like that, the consequences are probably no more than a bit of disappointment. But, what if the plans in question are of a more serious nature? What if they deal with eternity?

Every day, people gamble with their souls. I'm not even talking about people who deny God and the Bible. I'm talking about people who do believe in God and believe that the Bible is true, but delay salvation because they want to "live life to the fullest." They want to have their fun while they have the opportunity, and plan to accept Jesus Christ later in life. But what if later never comes? They say, "I'll do it tomorrow," but what if there's no tomorrow?

Laying aside the fact that a life without Christ is not life to its fullest, there's an even bigger problem with that idea. People who wish to live out their lives and accept salvation on their deathbed fail to recognize the fact that they might not have a death bed. Death for many people comes entirely unexpectedly. I have a feeling that everyone reading this can think of someone he has known that has passed away without warning.

What about you? Are you waiting to make the "deathbed confession?" If so, what if an accident snuffs out your life before you reach that point? Some teach that there will be opportunities for repentance after death, but you won't find that idea in the word of God. It is true that eternity will give you plenty of time, but it won't be plenty of time to get saved; it will be plenty of time to wonder why you never did.