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Central Baptist Church, Decatur

Can you believe it has been more than two years since Johnny Carson died? Who can forget Ed McMahon’s nightly introduction, “Heeere’s Johnny?” As I reflect on Johnny’s passing, I can’t help but wonder “Wheeere’s Johnny?” All the money, honors and prestige awarded him matter little at this moment. His eternal destiny is dependant upon an important choice he made while on this earth, a choice to either accept or reject God’s gift of salvation. Only God knows the condition of Johnny’s heart. Only God knows the location of his eternal curtain call.

You have something in common with Johnny Carson. No, you may never have as much money or fame. The one thing we have in common with Johnny is death. We, too, shall one day draw our last breath upon this earth. One out of every one person will die, unless the Lord returns first. The Scriptures tell us, “It is appointed for man to die once and after that to face the judgment” (Heb. 9:27).

Remembering the death of Johnny Carson should remind us of the temporal state of life upon this earth. King David of old correctly remarked, “As for man, his days are like grass … the wind blows over it and it is gone” (Ps. 103:15–16). The wind of time is blowing over our lives. We are aging. One day, every person who is reading this column will follow Johnny Carson to the grave. Death is a reality for every living being.

Instead of asking, “Wheeere’s Johnny?,” we should ask God where will we spend eternity. Jesus offers heaven to all who repent and believe in Him (Mark 1:15). By turning from your sin and believing in the Lord, Jesus Christ, you can experience eternal life. The Bible assures us, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). If you have not done so, I pray that today you might consider your eternal destiny, turn from your sins and cry out to God for His salvation in Christ Jesus. Then, when we finish our brief time on this earth, we will hear heaven cry out, “Heeere’s Johnny, Heeere’s Rob, Heeere’s Susan …”