Departure time.

A time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which was planted. Ecclesiastes 3:2

Recently I visited our city’s airport, and as always I enjoyed the atmosphere that seems to make such places so different. People hugging, crying, saying goodbye to family and friends as they depart for destinations near and far; there is also lots of crying and hugging as people are reunited. I have never been able to work out which event evokes more emotion….

Have you ever read those TV screens or electronic boards at airports that announce the arrival and departure times of planes? Have you ever read birth announcements in the newspaper? How about the obituaries? These little notices give the arrival and departure times of people, some of whom you will know.

Have you ever thought about the moment when you will be departing this earth?

When you were conceived, you were allotted a certain amount of time here on this earth. That time could be as short as a few minutes or it could be a hundred years or more. You were born at a certain minute, hour and year. You will also die at a certain minute, day and year. Throughout the earth’s existence, there have been many people daily arriving and departing this earth. We are all just pilgrims and strangers here, journeying through this world for our allotted time.

Where were we before we were born? Jeremiah 1:5 gives us some vital clues…

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. NKJV

Yes, we came to world from the Lord. King David wrote this in Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” NKJV

Image by Chris Higham at Christian Art

Where do we go after our departure from this earth? The answer to this question is found in Luke Chapter 16. There are two very different men involved in this story. One was a beggar who was born and destined to live in a life full of poverty. The other was a very rich man who had all the things and comfort money could buy. 

Here is what the Bible says about them in Luke 16, verses 22 and 23: “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and sees Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” The beggar and rich man both had departure dates. One man’s destination was heaven, and the other’s was hell.

Each day that we live on this earth is a day closer to our final destination. Will you be like the beggar and go to heaven or like the rich man and go to hell? Call upon the name of the Lord and you shall be saved.

The apostle Paul was born and he died. His life on earth was a life of two very different seasons. In his first season, he persecuted Christians because he thought he was doing the right thing. He was serving the devil. He did not know the truth. When Jesus gave him spiritual sight, he became a new man and began a new season of his life. He became a servant of Jesus Christ, and diligently worked for his Master. At the close of his life, Paul spoke these words in 2 Timothy 4: 6-7 “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. NKJV

The latter season of his life was what counted...the first season of his life was washed away by the spilled blood of Jesus Christ. His flight departed to glory-land. His battles and struggles were over...he went home to be with Jesus.

How about you; are you living “forward” with an eye on your departure time?