Text: Proverbs 29:1, KJV: 1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Thrift and second-hand stores are good places to find items like Bibles and other Christian material—no offense to bookstores, of course. One day I was searching for any Bibles that store might have had for sale and heard someone’s cell phone ring.
There is an incredible variety of ring tones for phones, even though you could call me “old school” because my ring tone is as close to the pair of bells that rang when someone would call. I remember asking my dad, when I was very young, why the phones rang like they did and Dad, with his typical dry humor, said, “It’s because they’re part of the Bell system.”
Worked for me. And that tone, many years later, worked for this woman, too. I commented on her ringtone and we talked about a few things. It wasn’t long, though, before we began to speak about our families, especially our late parents.
Now, for some of you who may not know, my late dad suffered, and I mean suffered, from dementia and Alzheimer’s during his last few years. He could remember things from 60 years ago but had trouble recalling things from just a few minutes ago, and for a man whose memory used to be phenomenal, this had to be hard for him to bear. Well, he went home to be with the Lord a few years ago and now, and forever, he’ll never have that trouble again.
I had related this, with a wish that when my time comes, the Lord would take me home quickly if it was His will. But, I added, when my time comes, I’ll be ready.
She shook her head and said, “I’m not ready” and walked away. Quickly. I never had a chance to share any more good news about Jesus and the salvation, forgiveness, and everything else He has to offer. May she find her way to “the Only True God, and Jesus Christ Whom [He] sent (John 17:3, paraphrased)”.
The sad thing is that so many, too many, will ignore the call of the Holy Spirit and continue to reject the offer of salvation. Solomon warned about hardening one’s neck, a figure of speech common in the Old Testament, and facing destruction. It’s bad enough to consider losing one’s life.
How much worse, then, would it be to lose one’s own soul!
How about you? Are you ready to meet the Lord?
Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV)