The Last Hour

How will you approach the last hour of your life? What will be most on your mind in that moment? For some it will be just gasping for the next breath battling disease. Others will desire to be surrounded by family. I've heard of whole families gathered together to sing their love one into glory. Unfortunately, some will will spend that last hour in deep regret. Regret for time wasted, poor choices, broken relationships and neglect in their personal walk with God. Do you want to go into the last hour of your life with regrets? Even in the last hour the lost can cry out to Jesus for salvation. The backslider can repent and find forgiveness. Some will pass from this life alone, afraid, fighting for all their worth to cling to this life shunning the next one.

I read a story about a guy named Father Lawrence. He walked with God during His days. In fact, others knew He walked with God. They could see it in the way he conducted his life. A true servant and lover of God. Father Lawrence gained the respect of people.

He got sick and began that slow saunter toward death. It was reported to him that he might only have one hour left to live. People wanted to know what he thought about in those last moments. Here is his reply. "I am doing what I shall do through eternity - blessing God, praising God, adoring God, giving Him the love of my whole heart." * Tozer On Worship and Entertainment, A.W. Tozer p. 27.

I especially love the last part of that quote. "Giving Him the love of my whole heart." Lawrence did not wait to get to Heaven to love and adore God. He practiced it during his life. When the end came he found no reason to make any great changes. He had spent a lifetime in worship and service of His Creator. He loved God with a whole heart. In fact, He is doing the same even as I write this. Only now what he could only see by faith in this life he now sees in person. He is still blessing, praising, adoring, loving God. With his whole heart.

This is a great challenge. When the end comes how will you spend that last hour. Father Lawrence set a great example. May that priority triumph. Let the whole heart be filled with love for God now and into the last hour.