A Dying Man

A DYING MAN

I crossed the path of an elderly man recently. On my way out of his place, he turned to me and gently said, “You don’t remember me right?”. I went back to him as he was lying on his bed, gently put my hand over his shoulder and quietly whispered into His ear, “I am sorry l don’t”.

“We used to sing together” he said. Without hesitating and with his feeble voice, he started to sing “O Lord My God When I in Awesome Wonder”. The memory rushed back to me immediately. It was about 5 years ago in another city where he was receiving a particular service. As God would have it, l happened to attend to him several times. I instantly joined him in the singing and we sang together again. He then managed to lift up his head and said to me “God brought you to my path again” and quickly added, “you might not see me again”. At this point, l told him ,”if l don’t see you here again, you must make sure we meet at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ!”

With a radiant and glorious face, he looked at my face and said with confidence but weak voice “I am ready to meet Him”. There is no way l could describe that glorious moment… The atmosphere was heavily charged. One could feel the presence of angelic and heavenly hosts around the room. I didn’t know whether to cry or praise or pray…. It was an indescribable experience. On my next visit to this man, he would no longer be there…

Friends, A song writer wrote; “How beautiful heaven must be, Sweet home of the happy and free; Fair haven of rest for the weary, How beautiful heaven must be”.

But the question is: do we really believe in this? Do we have what it takes to get there? Being a carefree, indifferent or religious person would not get anyone there, but true repentant and humble heart. It is needful to understand how helpless we are without the power that holds the globe together. Only if we can let God take His place in our heart. He is first the God of love and mercy before the God of judgement. He is waiting for us to draw near to Him. However, He will not wait forever.

How about a child of God indeed? May we never lose sight of God and His way. May we never take Him for granted. May we never descend into religion instead of true fellowship. May we be clothed in His sustaining grace till we see Him in glory.

Is anyone still doubtful? Someone said “if l die and then discovered there is neither heaven nor hell l have nothing to lose”. Now imagine someone who doesn’t believe in any of these until after death. By that time, It would have been too late to right the wrong and straighten the crooked path. It is save and good to be wise. Take a prudent decision today, tomorrow may never come.

Akinloye, O. Margaret