Uncertainty of Life
By PASTOR CURTIS WIENS
First Baptist Church, Durham
A large gasoline truck stopped at a red light. A 21-year-old college student stopped in the left lane next to the truck in his sports car. Suddenly, and without warning, the tanker exploded, killing both the truck driver and the college student.
Neither of these gentlemen thought when leaving home they might not return. Yet life is so uncertain. We have no guarantee of another hour, let alone another day. Each year thousands of Americans leave home with every intention of returning, but meet death in an automobile accident.
Thousands of others meet death suddenly in other types of accidents or tragic occurrences. Many die suddenly due to heart attacks, strokes, seizures, aneurysms, or some other unanticipated malady. Billy Graham in his address to a wounded nation reeling from the aftermath of Sept. 11, reminded us of the frailty of human existence when he commented that few if any of those killed on that fateful day had an inkling before 8:30 that morning that their lives would come to an abrupt end.
We have had a significant reminder of the brevity of life and the suddenness with which death and devastation comes as we witnessed the tragic effects of hurricane Katrina across the southern area of our United States. Dr. Graham's remarks, as well as the Word of God, admonish us to be ready for death, for unless Christ returns soon, all of us will pass through death's door at some point, whether we are prepared or not.
Today could be your last day. Are you ready?
