What Are You Taking?

“And this is the way to have eternal life–to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.” John 17:3 NIV

 

We’ve had quite a week here in Southern California—(San Diego County).

 

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Photo: Renae Bowman (from our back deck)

 

Brush fires gripped just about every city in the county. Evacuations, homes lost, property damaged—it’s been a tumultuous week.

 

Raye and I were just two different households, out of thousands, that spent time prepping to leave our homes for safe ground if the notice came.

 

 

And as I packed the “important” items of photos, electronics, documents, etc., I thought of Eternal packing.

 

Have I prepared for the evacuation that will certainly come one day?

 

Have you?

 

We are reminded so often, when natural disasters hit, to have a plan for a quick exit—taking with us essential items needed if all is lost.

 

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Photo: Renae Bowman

 

Have you given thought to what will be taken when this life comes to an end and Heaven becomes the evacuation center?

 

Our pastor often says, “You never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul.”

 

A great reminder.

 

It is not what we put by the door in a laundry basket. Or what fills up the back of our cars. It is what we’ve stored up in our hearts. It is what we have lived by. It is whom we have declared to be our Savior, over all that destroys.

 

It’s a hard verse to hear but Jesus put it out there:

“But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:33 NIV.

 

 

One thing you can take. One thing that travels with you when you leave. One thing that is an essential for survival.

 

Jesus.

 

All the other verses, fall away.

All the other commandments, fade.

All the other lessons, cease.

 

And there we are left with the One and Only.

 

Are you ready for a quick exit? Do you have Him, who will sustain, as your disaster kit?

 

God’s frantically raising his hand, saying, “Ooh, Ooh, take Me, take Me!!”

 

Nothing else is needed.

 

Will you choose?

 

Will you say yes?

 

When you do, He is all you need. You won’t have to worry ever again about being prepared—He makes all the arrangements.

 

 Lord Jesus, Jehovah, I choose You over everything else. Come into my heart. Prepare me for your kingdom. Prepare me for eternity. Help me to see that You are all I need in my basket of essentials. Stay near me so I will always be ready when You call me home. 

 

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