1 Corinthians 15:50-52 (NKJV) The Risen Christ, Our Hope
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
We are told that we shall not all sleep (die), but we will be changed. The Bible tells us the dead shall be raised and we shall be changed. Do you want to wait until the dead are raised to tell people how you feel about them? At the Resurrection, you might be speechless. Have you ever lost someone without getting to tell them something you really wanted them to know? Many of us leave things unsaid and live to regret our lack of expression. I have! There was a time when I would not tell those around me that I loved them. I left things unsaid. You never know if you will ever see them again. Although, if you accept Christ into your heart, you will see them again but it will be at the Resurrection. However, it is always better to speak what’s in your heart now. Speak life! I don’t want to wait. How about you?
When people know they are loved and appreciated, their life is usually more rewarding. I was in Honduras this week last year at Hearts for Honduras School. Honduras is a dangerous place. You never know what will happen. This was my second visit there and I had built relationships with the people of La Entrada. Particularly, Mauricio Erazo who is a vital part of that community and an important person to me. I had some time with him and he told me the story of how he came to know the Lord and why he runs the Youth for Christ camp. He is a hero in the Faith to me. There is something very special about Mauricio. At the end of our trip, Mauricio drove the big yellow school bus that took us to the airport. I have grown very fond of him and want to work with him to change our corners of the world. I am practicing my Spanish. A normal way of saying goodbye might be adios or hasta luego or chow. But that did not seem appropriate. I don’t want to say goodbye anymore. So I said “Nos Vemos Ortra Vez! Until I See You Again!” It may be next year when I return to Honduras. It may be the next time Mauricio comes to visit New Jersey. But it may be on the other side of Jordan in the next life. We never know. Here is what is important. I told Mauricio I am proud of him. I told him I admire his work. I told him he is my Brother in Christ. I used my words to build him up and encourage his work for the Lord! How do you use your words? Do you build up or tear down? May I suggest you build up? The tongue can build up or tear down. You choose how this will play out!
Father, help us to use our words to bless people and build them up in You. Give us the wisdom to know how to encourage and inspire. You said we should love one another as You loved us. Help us to claim Your promises. Guide us in Your ways that we may accomplish your will to spread Your grace to the ends of the earth. In Your name we pray!