In An Instant....

By Gobel Brockman


"Or those eighteen on whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them, do you think they were worse sinners than all the others that lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:4-5)

We're still trying to come to grips with what happened at the Indiana State Fair recently. So far six people have sadly lost their lives, with over forty injured. It's sad to think that these people left their homes to simply attend a concert, hear some good music, and have a good time, not realizing that their lives would never be the same. My wife and I attended a Christian concert at that very stage the previous Wednesday. We  had a great time. The thought of something like that happening never crossed our minds. I'm sure it didn't theirs either.

Concert stages collapsing and injuring and killing people is a freak accident. People leaving this earth in the prime of life, however, happens every day. Every day someone walks out their front door to go to work, not knowing they will never return. People get in their cars for just another normal day, not realizing a drunk driver will be responsible for ending their life. Proverbs 27:1 is a verse I think of often: "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring."

I promise I'm not trying to depress you. I simply want you to remember that our lives on this earth are temporary, and every day we're one day closer to our last day. At that point, the thing that's going to matter is what did you & I do about what Jesus said about Himself? He claimed He was the Son of God, and the only way to Heaven. If that's true (and it is), we must act upon that belief. While there's still time.

I ask all who read this to join me in praying for the victims & families of the State Fair tragedy. I also pray that we all recognize the need to be prepared for when our time comes.