The time I spent in college at Jacksonville State University was a great time of growth in my life. I was very idealistic and optimistic about life and my plans for the future. Many times, unfortunately, my optimism was accompanied by procrastination.
At the end of my third semester as a vocal major I was called in for a “heart-to-heart” discussion with my voice professor, Dr. Richard Armstrong. “Doc,” as everyone called him, was kind but direct. He told me if my progress and effort didn’t improve, I would not make it as a voice major. He said, “Jay, you need to look down the road 30 years and decide what you want your life to be like. Once you think you’ve figured that out, you need to do the same thing again for 20 years from now and so on. … If what you are doing right now doesn’t move you to where you want to be 30 years from now, you’re wasting your time.” That was a wake-up call.
As important as college degrees and what we’re going to be “when we grow up” are, they pale in comparison to eternity don’t they? The vast majority of Americans believe in life after death so I’m guessing you do too. If you look down the path of your life all the way to the end, are you certain that will be heaven?
First John 5:13 states, “These things have I written unto you, that you may know that you have eternal life.” You can know where your eternity will be spent. Because people aren’t perfect (Rom. 3:23) we can’t go to heaven based on our goodness. We have to have help — perfect help. Jesus provided the way when He went to the cross (John 3:16). Romans 10:9–10 shows us the way to access the help Jesus offered. “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved.” By receiving this offering of love from God, you can be assured you aren’t wasting precious days in this life and most of all be assured the hope of heaven.
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