But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness: they do no know what makes them stumble. Proverbs 4:19

Many years ago I watched Larry King interview the Rev. Billy Graham. King asked, “do you have any doubt where you will go when you die?” Without a hint of hesitation, Graham responded, “Absolutely not.” It would have been interesting if Graham had turned the question back on King. I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think King’s answer would have been so firm and sure.

Similarly, it is truly a sad thing to watch those who have mocked God and all things spiritual as they fade away into oblivion on their death bed. Rarely are they satisfied with what they’ve accomplished. They are often bitter and spiteful. It’s painful to watch as all they’ve lived for melts away.

And yet it’s a reminder to us who believe that “but for the Grace of God, there go I” as the saying goes. We should be grieved as loved ones and friends fumble their way through life, especially towards the end. We will be faced with opportunities to minister to those needs and we shouldn’t shy away from them. People are looking for hope and light in a very dark world.

We have that light.
We have that hope.