I was reading Numbers 17 a couple of days ago and it was yet another story of the Israelites once again moaning, so God gave Moses some instructions and warned anyone that if they came near the tent, where the Ark of the covenant was, they would die, so they start panicking and saying “we’re doomed! We are as good as dead” I was instantly reminded of the character from the BBC programme Dad’s Army, there was one character Private Fraser who was always cynical about the plans being made and would say “we’re doomed!”

It is said that “the only things certain in life are Death and taxes“, Jesus spoke about both, but one thing that is constantly up for debate is when he will return or when will all life on “the world” end? Many people have tried to give dates and times but when that date comes around, we are all still here!

One morning in sunday school we were asked “if you only had one day left to live what would you do?” Roy Castle, the trumpet player and well-loved presenter of Record Breakers, was quoted as saying “I am the luckiest man alive, for I know how long I have left!“, He died of lung cancer in 1994.

As I was a child when I was asked that question, my answers were pretty much about having fun and eating lots, but I did say “tell all my friends about Jesus” (what have I got to lose? I am dead in less than 24 hours!), my Sunday school teacher was quick enough to pick up on my answer and said “why not do it today?” If I had to answer that question now, my answers may be similar but more family orientated as I am a dad!

When I watched the movie “Leap Year“, the one thing that struck me from the movie was the question “if your house was burning down what would you grab before running out to safety?” I was flummoxed, providing my wife and children were safely out, what would I want to take out? I don’t have masses of photos around the house, they are all safely stored on hard drives. CDs, DVDs, electronic equipment can be replaced, I use the bible app on my phone so having a hardback copy isn’t a necessity!

Proverbs 11:4 says “Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death.” and 1 Thessalonians 5 talks about Jesus coming like a thief in the night, there is no point wondering when that will be, we should get on with life and live everyday with Joy, peace and kindness towards others! (I know it’s not easy and we all have bad days/weeks/years!)

There are T-shirts and all sorts of other merchandise that says “Jesus is coming, look busy!” The phrase even is on a tattoo, on a fake archbishop’s bottom in the film “Johnny English“!

Jesus is coming back, “when?” you may ask? We don’t know, but he is, it’s not like when your parents come into a room and you have been up to mischief, you quickly rush back and act non-chalant saying “nothing” when asked what you were doing! God is always watching us, but when Jesus comes back there will be no more pain, no more suffering, no more death!

I sometimes wonder “what is the point of it all?”, Humans work their socks off, to earn digits in a bank account, which get transferred electronically or via paper/metal to other people who offer services/food. We cannot take our property when we die, so would it be more worthwhile sharing our “wealth“? I once worked out that for the price of a couple of month’s subscription to a cable/satellite company, you could enable an African child to school for half a year if not longer! If you believe the adverts for charities, there are so many things a small amount of money can do in the hands of those who need it more than we do!

God doesn’t want us to live a life of squalor, we all like “nice things” but should we rethink how we spend our individual resources, not only because due to the financial climate we all have to rework our “budgets” but rethinking the way in which we spend our time, money and energy. Is it only for our benefit? Is the way we use our resources, in any way detrimental to our lives? Can we help others by offering our time, money or energy as they need it more than we do?

What would you do with your last 24 hours? What should you do with your resources?