There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.  Ecc 3:1

There was a shuttle service named “Just in Time” in our area several years ago.  I may be wrong in the case of this person’s commercial shuttle service, but I have lived long enough and have been tardy enough times to cringe in knowing that external circumstances and factors influence the “just in time” agenda.  I am convinced that people who are consistently late to critical events are those either trapped in selfish concerns, caught in the routines or habits of life, or those who actually choose to be “just in time.”  My focus is to address this latter group of “just in timers” and encourage them to join me in changing their choice making for at least one unique destination.

Too many things go wrong when we gamble and refuse to anticipate and schedule our travel arrangements wisely.  The “just in time” strategy, complete with sprint to the flight gate, luggage in hand, resulting in the predictable surprise (the plane “just left”) must be eliminated.  This careless pattern can have the ultimate consequence if it’s used in planning our final and most important destination– to our place in Heaven after death.  Again, as far as Heaven’s gates are concerned, we can cling to being selfish, trapped in rituals, or risk being “just in time.”  All three of these approaches could land one in the same place– eternal separation from God, something He desperately wants us to avoid.

Please consider… our Creator offers us a transition opportunity that is not only free– it is available to each of us – now – and it lasts forever!  As a brief reminder, here is why and how it works….

God created man in His image and in a relationship of love.  Man’s original makeup was a perfect spirit, with a soul, and a physical body.  Damaged by original man’s falling for sin, mankind not only lost the pure spiritual connection with God, but the consequence of eternal separation from God unfolded.  Because of our resulting unholy nature, no human effort could satisfy this outstanding sin debt.  In His grace and mercy, to reconcile His creations back with Himself, He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins and die, sacrificing Himself for us on the cross at Calvary (John 3:16).  In His substitutionary work, through the redeeming power of His Holy Spirit, we are now offered a renewed relationship with God.  It was God’s problem, His solution, and our opportunity.

If we accept Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior right now, God immediately guarantees our life to continue with Him in Heaven.  What a gift of salvation that is — no ifs, ands, or “just in times.”  If we make our appointment like God says for us to do, then no matter when our individualized death flight is scheduled, amazingly, God’s Holy Shuttle will “always be in time.”

Is 40:31; 2 Pet 3:8; Acts 1:7; Gal 4:4

Editor’s Note: Make your reservations early and make them in the non-smoking section!