There are only two choices

"Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15 NIV

When most of us hear about someone dying while running a marathon, we automatically assume it's someone older. But on October 3, St. George News reported that out of more than 7,000 runners who crossed the finish line at the St. George Marathon on Saturday, a 22-year-old Idaho man didn’t make it. City of St. George Communications Director David Cordero told St. George News that the man, who was later identified as Hayden Holman, of Sugar City, Idaho, collapsed near Main Street and 100 South, in St. George. condolences. The East Idaho News reported that Hayden was a strong, athletic man who wrestled in high school, loved rock climbing and running marathons. He grew up in Idaho Falls and was attending Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg. He had recently served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Montreal, Canada, and married his sweetheart Charlotte only seven months ago. The cause of Hayden’s death is unknown and an autopsy will be scheduled to determine the cause of death.“On behalf of the City of St. George and our Marathon staff,” Cordero said in a statement, “we send our most heartfelt condolences to his loved ones who are grieving his loss.”

And you know, as this story shows, there is no guarantee that any of us will live to see another day regardless of our age or physical condition. Which is the very reason that, if we have not already made the decision to follow Christ, we must not put it off. You see, despite what we might think or want to believe, we are all one heartbeat away from spending eternity in heaven or in hell; a destination we choose by what we decide while we still have breath in our lungs. And you can be sure that there are only two choices... choose Christ and receive eternal life in heaven or reject Him and receive eternal damnation in the "lake of fire." 

I don't know about you my friend but I'm so very thankful to have made the decision to follow Jesus so that my name WILL be found written in the book of life. Knowing that I will spend eternity in heaven gives me joy to make it through the trials and tribulations of this world. And you too can have this same joy by making the decision to follow Him today if you haven't already. I promise you that it will be the best decision you will ever make. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for making it clear that we only have two choices in life that really matter... the choice to follow You or reject You. This life is short at best but eternity lasts forever. Please cause the person contemplating following You to truly understand that so they would make the decision that will ensure that their name is written in the book of life today. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!