I learned this week that a man I went to school with had taken his own life. My first thoughts revolved around the sadness I had for the child he left behind.

That little boy would never really get to know his father. But as the week went on I began to think about his salvation. The last time I saw him was about 10 years ago, during a very dark time in my life. It was during that time that I was involved in drugs and considering my own suicide.

I was listening to a sermon this week about Heaven and Hell. The preacher said something to me that really stuck out. Over 6,000 people a day in the United States go into Eternity. Over 6,000 people! But where do they go? Heaven or Hell? That question has left an aching in my heart. I know where I’m going when I become one of those 6,000 people. But the sad reality is, there are MANY who don’t.  And I haven’t always known.

Today I ask many “what if’s?” What if I wouldn’t have opened my eyes to Jesus when I did? What if I was still wandering this world lost, looking for all the wrong answers? What if someone would have reached out to him? What if I would have been that someone?

I don’t know where his eternity will be spent. But as I look around at many of my loved ones today, I know the answer. But that answer doesn’t have to stay the same. Where do I go from here? What do I do? My first step is prayer. My second step is to be an example.  The third, and hardest step is speaking the truth.

⁶God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you ⁷and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. ⁸He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power ¹⁰on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10

Sobering words if I say so myself. I praise the Lord that I am able to say with confidence, not cockiness, that on the day of Christ’s return I will be among those glorified, not punished with everlasting destruction. I praise God that I have received that promise. It was only three years ago that I received that promise.

It’s only too late when He has called your name one final time. Where is your Eternity?