Nothing Else Matters

Rev. 3:17 For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

On April 14, 1912, 10:00 p.m. the Titanic crashed into an iceberg in the mid-Atlantic and four hours later sank. One woman in a lifeboat asked if she could go back to her room. She was given only three minutes to do so. She hurried down the corridors, already tilting dangerously, through the gambling room piled ankle-deep in money. In her room were her treasures waiting to be taken, but instead, she snatched up three oranges and hurried back to the boat. One hour before she would have naturally chosen diamonds over oranges, but in the face of death, values are seen more clearly.

On Monday, May 12, 2025 I said goodbye to my sister. I thank God that we talked on the phone each week. I thank God that I was able to have a brief conversation with her in the hospital before she was fully sedated. I thank God that we were friends. In fact, when she was barely conscious she referred to me, saying to the nurse, He’s my best friend. She added, I probably don’t tell him enough. It comforts me that I know that I will see her again. It comforts me that she is more alive than me right now. But you know what? I sure am going to miss her till I see her again – face to face, and that’s OK. If Jesus can weep over His friend Lazarus’ death, so can I.

I was talking to the HVAC man who was doing maintenance on our church and I said to him, We are three generations from anyone even knowing who we are. Then I said, Only One thing matters: Jesus. Everything is all about Jesus. So, why waste my time with things that are going to end up at the dump, or in an estate sale, or donated to Goodwill or the Salvation Army? What really matters is my relationship with Jesus, and the family and friends I make along the way. Revelation 7:9 states: After this I looked and a vast host appeared which no one could count, [gathered out] of every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. These stood before the throne and before the Lamb; they were attired in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. What really matters is how many people are going to be with us there because of the life we lived.

When I was a youth minister I had a vision while worshipping with the youth. Many of us were worshipping around the throne of the Lamb of God. As I took that in I looked around at some of the youth I had ministered too, and won to Jesus. At one point in the vision we made eye contact, and I looked at them and winked. Then I mouthed to them, WE made it! Two years ago I was in Africa on mission. At one point I had a vision in which I saw many of the people who had surrendered to Jesus, and ministered to at the entry way into Heaven. I had a thought: Those whom I have had the opportunity to lead to Jesus will be with my family and friends who come to welcome me to Heaven. I don’t know about you but I want to be responsible for leading as many people to gather around Jesus’ Throne as I possibly can. For the reward of the Lamb and for His suffering! Only one thing matters.