Take the case of a forty year old man who has been going to the doctor for years with the concern that he has a fatal condition. After being reassured each time that he is perfectly healthy, he finally hears the doctor speak those words he has long been fearing: "I am sorry", the doctor begins, "but you are dying. I regret to tell you that there is nothing I can do."

The man is stunned. He leaves the doctor's office in a fog and moves throughout the next few days as a man who is sleepwalking. It suddenly dawns on him that he forgot to even ask the doctor how much time he has left, so he rushes back to his office and asks that fateful question. The doctor looks at him, curiously half amused, and has him sit down. He looks at the man and tells him the following, "I can't be sure exactly how long you have, no one can do that. It could be days, but..." "But what" the man demands, "can't you give me a reasonable estimate?" The doctor then says this: "My best estimate for a man of your age and condition is somewhere between thirty and forty years, maybe more if you are fortunate and take care of yourself."

Do you see the point? While we don't want to make light of the fact that many people do have serious conditions that suddenly tear their remaining years from them, the fact is that we should all be living our lives as if each day were exactly what they are: A precious gift from God that should be accepted with gratitude and then lived with purpose. In the only Psalm attributed to Moses, the prophet of God said this:

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away... So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom."

Psalms 90:10&12, KJV

We all struggle with thoughts that we or our loved ones could somehow leave this earth far too soon, but when we do that we cheat ourselves out of the rich blessings of the present. We often spend so much time fretting over days gone by or worrying about what the future might surprise us with that we forget to live, to really live, in the here and now. As the good doctor in the fictional account above pointed out, no one on this side of Heaven knows how long we have. Since that is the case, wouldn't we do well to live as best we can for now. 

Questions concerning our salvation (are you saved?) and the salvation of our loved ones should be not only asked, but answered with a knowledgeable conclusion. This can only be done if we are familiar with the Scriptures, so we better be reading God's Word on a regular basis. We need to determine to the best of our ability just what God expects of us, and what preparations must be made to meet those expectations. We need to be serious about our service to God but, having done that, we need to trust in Him enough to know that He will take care of everything we cannot.

So, relax. Take a deep breath and start to enjoy these days that God has given to you. They are a gift, so view them in that manner. Pray with thanksgiving for those things that only God can supply, and then get to the fruitful and pleasant work that God has for you. This can be a very good life here on earth for those who are living as servants of God, but remember this: We were created for Heaven! This is the goal, so do not fret that you might reach it earlier than anticipated. Of course we have people here that we need to help, and we don't want to leave those responsibilities early, but trust God for that part.

If you have been worried that your life may somehow be cut short before you are ready to go then   start   preparing    now!    Having done that, trust in God to do the right thing. He always has, and He always will!