Hard Realities, Bright Lights

I was looking something up on google and my question started with "what happens when..." As I glanced at the automatic searches that pop up below the search bar, I saw the most popular search that started with those same words of my question. And the most popular question that started with "what happens when..." was "what happens when you die?" Death is not an easy topic, but it's so sad to know that many people have no idea what happens to us, our souls, when we die. To think we live in a world that feels the need to turn to google to research what happens to us when we die is sad. I saw that question and I re read it. I felt this longing for hope with that question. I could feel the desperation in these people who researched it. Maybe the people who have looked it up did it for themselves or maybe they did it for a loved one. Christians have Hope, the Hope. The thing the very world is seeking, we have the answer. We need to share it. That doesn't mean everyone will listen, in fact, most people probably won't since we live in a world that turns to google for such deep questions instead of oh I don't know maybe a Book. A specific Book that is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword. A Book that was written by the One who created you. But sometimes people are listening to you and watching you without you ever realizing it. The way you live, act, and speak leaves a mark. It impacts people. We need to be boldly living for Him.

"This world is dying to know who You are

You've shown us the way to Your heart

So Father I pray,

Make me more like Jesus."-Passion

These lyrics get me every time. The world is LITERALLY dying to know who God is. They are so desperate, so lost, so far from the Truth. The very thing they are so desperately trying to find, hope, joy, peace, etc. is accessible to them. But they are so ignorant to it and they don't realize they are pushing away the very One that they need. All things and all people will disappoint, they will destroy our hope, steal our joy, betray our trust, they are part of the world. But He will restore hope, bring joy, give peace, because He is Hope, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, etc. He is what they are seeking, but they keep pushing Him away. I'm not asking you to soften their hearts or to change their minds, that's His job, not yours. All I'm asking is that you'd live for Christ. Live for Him. Maybe God will use how you're living to shine light to others.

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."- Philippians 1:21

Live like His Kingdom is now. Live to make Heaven crowded. Live for Christ and they'll see that for you to die is gain. So what happens when we die? 2 options for one eternity. Heaven or Hell. I think we find Hell an offensive thing to say or mention at all, but it's a reality, and we need to understand that. It's a reality and we need to talk about it. I think we brush it under the rug too often, we want to protect people, we don't want to mention Hell because we don't want to scare people. What you're trying to protect them from is the very place they may end up if you don't say anything about it. Now, I am NOT saying to just tell everyone they're going to Hell and that's that. There's a nice balance to find, talk about Heaven AND Hell. They both need to be talked about. People want to believe in Heaven, but they want to dismiss the reality of Hell. We cannot ignore the fact that Hell is a place, but we also cannot dismiss the hard truths about Hell. Know it's a hard topic, talk about it, but be aware of the gravity of it.

Let people know you're living for more. For Him. They're watching, you may not know it, but they are. And God will use you in the ways He needs you to be used. Live like you know where you're going afterwards. Because if so many people are curious about that, someone who lives knowing where they're going when they die will peak their interest. Live for Christ, knowing to die is gain. Live shining His Light, you'll stand out in a world that has none.