Paradise Lost

We don’t know when, but at some point, we will all die. And then, some ‘time’ after that, we will face a final judgment. 

Try to imagine yourself standing before Christ, the Divine Judge, as best you can. Before Him, all is revealed — everything you did or didn’t do, every thought, every murmur. 

You patiently await Christ to speak. You rethink every decision, preparing to defend any areas of confusion. 

He finally stands up and says, “Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41

Let that sink in. The terror, the agony, the finality and permanence. The paradise you dreamt of is lost...forever.

It can be jarring, as it should be, but that’s what’s at stake. 

We must remind ourselves of this everyday, not to live in fear of the final judgment, but to prepare for it. 

We cannot continue to treat our faith as something we’ll do tomorrow, or when we’re older and settled down. 

Today and every day, we face a choice — God or not God. And, indecision isn’t good enough.