Is Your Life in Order?

            Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I love baseball. I played in the first T-Ball league in metro Atlanta when I was six years old. It was 1966, the year the Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta.  I’ve been a fan since. I played through high school, umpired for several years, and had the privilege of coaching both of my sons.

            If you have not been paying attention, it has been a good year for baseball in the state of Georgia so far. The Braves have the best record in the major leagues, and Georgia Tech and Georgia are ranked second and third in the nation. Both are hosting regional tournaments, and have won their first games.  By the time you read this we will know if they have advanced to the next round of the NCAA tournament.

            But there have also been some sad moments this year, especially for Braves’ fans.  Former owner, Ted Turner, former manager, Bobby Cox, and former third baseman, Bob Horner all died last month. Turner and Cox were in their eighties, and had been sick in recent years. Horner was only 68 years old. As I approach my 67th birthday I am sobered by that thought.

            I never met any of these men. They would not have known anything about me. But I still was moved to hear of their deaths. In some manner each one touched my life.

            As I think about death I am reminded of several things. The Bible is clear on this issue. “It is appointed unto man once to die…” It also says, “Man knows not his time…” I know it might sound morbid, but this is the truth. The death rate for living is 100%.  Death is our greatest enemy, and we all must face it.

            The question before us is simple. Am I ready to die? Some folks are diagnosed with a fatal disease and have time to prepare. Others lose their lives without warning to an accident or a sudden medical incident.  But again the fact is that we all die.

            I did not write these words to scare you. But I hope that you will take the time to ponder your own life.  This world is not all that there is.  God has made us for more. He has made a way for us to live eternally with Him. Again I ask you. Are you ready?