When tomorrow is not promised: The spiritual call to prepare today

First Baptist Church: Tomorrow is not promised

If you are familiar with the Bible, the reality of the title of this article is taught in both the old and new testaments. The older I get and the longer I am in the ministry, I see this truth realized regularly. This truth prompts the question, “Are you prepared for tomorrow?” I am not speaking in general terms, but in the terms of eternity.

I think for many that this truth does not even cross their mind until a tragedy strikes. If you saw any news a few weeks ago, the main story was about A passenger jet and a Black Hawk helicopter that collided in midair and crashed into the Potomac River. The tragedy claimed the lives of 67 people, leaving families and friends grieving and our country shaken. Amidst this heartbreaking event, acts of heroism and faith emerged to remind us of God’s presence, even in the darkest moments. A disaster like this, leaves devastation not only in its path but also in the hearts of all of us. It leaves families mourning their loved ones. It leaves first responders grappling with the magnitude of lives lost. And it leaves us searching for hope in the face of despair. For the families and communities mourning, the weight of grief must feel unbearable. To those of us that are with them from afar, it leaves us wondering what we can do. We can certainly pray for the families impacted, and we can make sure that we are prepared for the unknown ourselves. We can be assured that God is with their families, but they need our prayers. Though the pain did not disappear overnight, God’s promises remain. He is the God of comfort, of peace, and of hope—steadfast and unwavering in His love for His children. And the promise of God is sure that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).

This tragic event should serve as a reminder of life's fragility and the importance of being prepared spiritually. While none of us knows what tomorrow holds, we can rest in the promise of God’s eternal love and salvation by anchoring our lives in Him. Tomorrow is not promised for any of us. What do you need to do today to be prepared for tomorrow? Today, we can pray for the families of those that lost their lives. And today, we can honor the lives of those that were lost, by sharing Jesus with someone that needs to know Him.

If you are looking for hope, please allow me the opportunity to invite you to visit with us at Caruthersville First Baptist Church, 801 Ward Ave. We gather for Bible study time on Sunday mornings at 9:30 and then at 10:30 for worship. We meet at 5:00 on Sunday evenings for worship and a time of Bible study led by our pastor in our fellowship hall. We also have an online Bible study time on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 on our Caruthersville First Baptist Church Facebook page. We would love to have you visit with us!