In a Minute

There I was stuck behind the school bus on the county road as it made its next stop, wondering, “Why didn’t I leave a minute earlier?” 

I had a flash back to the year that after a major car accident I was stuck riding the city bus to get around town.  I was living in Fresno behind the university and my place of employment was on the opposite end of town.  When you are driving a car that isn’t a problem when you can jump on the inner-city freeways, you can be to work in about 20 minutes.   That same trip on a bus that has lots of passengers to pick up/drop off on the route can take an hour (plus). 

The bus stop was at the end of the driveway of the apartment complex we lived in – so I could leave at 7:03 am to catch the 7:05 bus.  One morning I left a minute late.  As I walked to the stop I watched my bus leave without me.  GREAT!  I went back home and left a message on the company answering machine that I would be late as I missed my bus. 

Even though I could have waited in the comfort of my apartment for the 7:35 bus I waited at the stop as I was not going to miss the next one.  As I sat there I chastised myself, “Why didn’t I leave a minute earlier, now I am going to be over a half hour late for work!”  I was not happy to say the least.

In some cases being a minute late you can make up for it.  Drive a tad bit faster (not advisable), maybe making all the green lights or if you are late a minute, that it is not that bad.

However, like the bus scenario being a minute late can cost you valuable time.  Making that minute late into being severely late for work.

This week my family has lost a beloved member who is the last of the generation of our parents.  Even though we knew it was coming, one minute he was here, the next he was not.  In the blink of an eye our hearts have a hole in them.  We are forever changed.

We are comforted that he knew Jesus and is in a better place.   He will be one of the ones to greet us when our time comes. 

My thoughts drift to those that don’t know Christ.  What if in the next minute they are not here?  What if they could have been saved by something I could have done or said?  What if…what if?

We all have said in our lives, “In a minute.”  Whether it is your reply when your spouse asks you to take out the trash, or your child needs you to look at their latest finger painting masterpiece, or you just want to accomplish that one last task before heading out the door.  In a minute…

The Bible tells us we are not guaranteed our next breath much less our next day.  We don’t know if we will be here to even finish reading this writing post.  Jesus is coming back, sooner than later.  Are you ready?  

There is no time like now as you don’t know if you have anymore, “in a minute”(s). 

There are two places that mankind will go to when they die - Heaven or Hell.  There is nothing in between.  My friends, if you died today where would be your destination?

There is only way to get to Heaven, Jesus Christ.

If you are going to hell or even if you are not sure where you will go when you die - say this prayer, "Father God, I have recognized that I am a sinner. I repent of all my sins, I confess with my mouth, that Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Savior. Jesus come into my heart, AMEN, AMEN, AMEN."

I love you all and don't want you to miss out on a life with Jesus. I pray that the lost are found, that the sick are healed, that the broken are made whole and that the bound are loosed in Jesus name! AMEN!!!

Your life can change forever, just…in a minute.

Until next time, God Bless!!!

**Dedicated to my uncle Kenneth "Okie" Guinn - what I wouldn't give to have another minute with you.