Thirty years ago, Jan and I began to pray over our remaining time on Earth. We have prayed that we would end this life having remained faithful to the Lord and to each other.

Our hearts greatest desire is that we would finish well. We want to live without bringing shame on God’s Name; to face all fears related to our physical death; to demonstrate God’s goodness when we walk where we’ve never been before; to be expectant and joyful in the timing of our journey Home; to receive the Lord’s special graces, especially after one of us enters Heaven and the other one is left behind.

In the first chapter of I Corinthians, a verse stood out to me: “He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (I Corinthians 1:8-9). 

We can count on God to do what He said He would do. We can also count on His multiple mercies to be present in times of loss. Our part is to partner with Jesus. We have concluded that how we live today is how we will die. We live today with the possibility that today might be the day of our home going. 

Today, we want to be found faithful. 

Today, we want to face our fears.

Today, we want to be expectant and grateful, even joyful, for God’s timing.

Today, we want to receive the Lord’s multiple mercies and His special graces.

Today, we want to demonstrate His goodness in the land of the living.

May Jesus find all of us persistently faithful today, whether today is our last on Earth or when He comes back for the whole Church (see Luke 18:8). And, in so doing, we will prepared for whatever tomorrow brings.