The Old Must, The Young May

Everyone hopes that they will grow old before they depart from this life on earth,
but there are no guarantees. One's life can end unexpectedly in an instant.

The Old Must, The Young May

"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this, the judgment."

(Hebrews 9:27)

Kobe Bryant's death sent shock waves all over the world. My heart grieves for the Bryant family. Not only was Kobe killed in the helicopter crash in California on January 26, but his daughter, Gianna, and seven others were also killed.

Kobe Bryant & daughter, Gianna, watch an NCAA women's basketball game in Los Angeles on Nov. 21, 2017.

Kobe's widow, Vanessa, wrote, "We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe -- the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna -- a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri."

After September 11, 2001, Kobe Bryant wrote the following piece printed in Newsweek magazine:

"I've learned also that you can't take things for granted. You know how we always say 'See you later'? One thing I've realized from September 11 is that you can't ever say that for sure. Things change in the blink of an eye. People go to work and don't come back. One minute they're living and the next minute they're not. And, it doesn't matter who you are, there is nothing you can do about it. . . . We never know when our time here will be over, so we all need to make the most of every minute we have."

Years ago, I heard a statement that has stuck with me. I cannot remember who first said it or when I heard it, but it went something like this: "All of us will at some point die; the old must, but the young may." That is a sobering and true statement. Everyone has the hope that they will grow old before they depart from this life on earth. But there are no guarantees. Like 41 year-old Kobe Bryant and his 13 year-old daughter, Gianna, many die at a very young age. Again, my heart simply aches for the Bryant Family. It reminds me of a song sung by Michael W. Smith that contains these lyrics: "Into every life a little rain must fall, and losing one you love is like a storm." So true.

All of us will walk this path unless Jesus returns first. All of us will die, and we will appear before God. For those who know Jesus, it will be a day filled with awe and joy as we go into the presence of the Lord. For those who die unprepared, who do not know or love God, they will also be filled with awe and wonder, but tremendous, palpable dread and fear will overtake them. The time to be concerned over the eternal destiny of souls is not when we die, but today. Is Kobe Bryant in heaven or not? The simple answer and truth is, if he knew Christ, yes, but if he did not, then no.

When you die, will you go to heaven? No amount of money or influence or good deeds will guarantee your entrance into heaven with God and the saints and angels. But there is a way you can know for sure, because Jesus told us. He said in John 5:24, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."

Receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord right now, and tell everyone you know this wonderful news.

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