Imminent

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines "imminent" as: "ready to take place." This past Sunday, the pastor at the church my husband and I attended talked about the second coming of Christ as being imminent -- ready to take place. He read from Matthew 3 where John the Baptist prepares the way for Christ. he urges those listening to him to repent and be ready. Matthew 3:2 says, "repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand."
The pastor's message talked about Christians living as if this was their last moment or day on earth. He urged us to live as though Christ would return before we even walked out of the church building. What does that mean? How can Christian live as though the rapture is coming and they will very soon be no more on this earth?
That made me think about what I needed to do to act as if my life could end at any moment. Some may thing that's morbid or a dark way of thinking, but I think that's how John the Baptist urged the Christians of his day to live and I'm no different. I think about the things that I do to please my own flesh instead of pleasing God. I think about the things that I spend the most time on rather than stopping to spend a little time with God each day. I think about the family that's in Heaven waiting for me and those countless multitudes that I will meet for the first time in Glory and know.
I think about what it will be like to spend an eternity worshipping God and praising His name. I think about the Streets of Gold and the Mansions I'll see. I think about all the Saints from the Old and New Testament that I'll finally meet and sit down by the Crystal Sea and talk with. I think about seeing Jesus from that moment until eternity.
Then, I think about what I've done on earth to ensure that as many people that I can help will have the same opportunity that I will have in Heaven. Have I been a good witness? Is there someone in my life that I need to pray continuously for? Yes. There are several people that I know that are lost and dying. They are imminent danger of spending an eternity in Hell. Will I be able to hear Jesus tell me, "Well done, my good and faithful servant" when He greets me in Heaven? While I could never buy my way into Heaven, have I done enough for His Glory?
Matt 3:12 says, ". . . gathering His wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." All this means is that Christ will one day separate our works and judge us for our actions. He will keep the things we do for His sake and throw the things done not for His sake into the "unquenchable fire." A fire that could never be quenched. A fire that is always hungry. As a Christian, I long for the things I have done to be pleasing to the Lord and held in His barn instead of tossed into the fire.
Lord, I pray that you will give me the strength and the wisdom to witness in Your name. Bring the lost that You want me to touch and guide me through the Holy Spirit. I am a willing vessel that You may use to Your Glory and Yours alone. For whatever I do, I give You the Glory and the Honor forever. Until we meet in Heaven. Your faithful servant. Amen.