"Expiration"

There’s not an expiration date,

Inked with some tattoo,

Like on the bottom of your foot,

To say when you are through.

And maybe you have wondered,

How much time before you go,

And though you had some close calls,

You never really know.

I was in an auto wreck,

After some old rodeo,

Turned a car right over,

Without injury to show.

Had myself two heart attacks,

Got stints so blood will flow,

Doc says I am doing good,

He talks like he would know.

One time about ten years ago,

And old horse broke in half,

I broke ribs and hip and pelvis,

And hurt too bad to laugh.

But so far I’ve survived it,

And keep on, keeping on,

Don’t know how much longer

But praying I’ll stay long.

When it comes down to it,

Be ready soon to go,

But if the Lord prolongs it,

He wants us to know,

That life is about Jesus,

And then when life is through,

It then stilll is ‘bout Jesus,

And if for sure we knew,

That our sins are forgiven,

And we’re washed clean in His sight,

If we have received Him,

Crossed from darkness into light.

No matter if you cowboy,

Or if you live in town,

Truth is, it’s the Savior,

Who helps you come around,

To the fact that life is over,

Much sooner than we think,

All we plan and pray for,

Is over in a blink.

So put your trust in Jesus,

And live for Him no doubt,

And then you’ll have assurance,

That you are in, not out.

“For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins…” (Colossians 1:13, NLT)

Our freedom was purchased when Jesus died and rose again. The price of our freedom? His shed blood. If we are worth that much in God’s eyes, turning from our sins and accepting His rule in our lives should be no big deal. Yet it is, and here’s why. People are so caught up in the hurry and busy-ness of this life, they lose sight of the fact that it is so very temporary. It’s perhaps the greatest of all deceptions, and that is to be so addicted to this life, that we miss eternity. The full assurance that we saved, forgiven and have changed kingdoms can only come from the Holy Spirit and is given so that we can live without fear of being lost. Rather, we are given the full assurance that when life expires, it really has just begun.

Lord, make us sure, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Anton, billantonstudio.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Bill, and God bless you.