Properly Prepared (Luke 12:16-21)

A veteran dying from cancer requested a last wish for one last fishing trip. The hospice obliged and arranged to have him transported in his hospital bed onto a bridge overlying a pond. With fishing pole in hand, the veteran cast his line and ended up catching four fish. As one observer remarked, “All of a sudden, the cancer and everything else went away, and what you see is that precious few moments of someone really enjoying life.”  This wish was also coupled with another. He wanted to be baptized so “he would be properly prepared to crossover.” Three days later, the veteran peacefully passed away, content that his two last wishes were fulfilled.

Properly prepared to crossover.

We hear this sentiment expressed in a variety of ways-putting one’s affairs in order; putting one’s house in order; it is all about bringing a positive closure to one’s life. This veteran understood that the most important preparation at the end of his was life was to commit his life to Jesus Christ so that he could spend eternity with Him. He properly prepared.

And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12:16-21 (ESV)

The foolish rich man, in this parable that Jesus taught, focused upon material and physical comforts, when he should have been making himself rich in faith and devotion to God. How does one do this? Confess and repent of your sins and turn to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. A last fishing trip for this veteran gave him happiness that the cancer had temporarily stolen from him. Placing his faith in Jesus Christ gave him the happiness that will never be taken away from him.

Are you properly prepared?

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.