IT’S A SERIOUS MATTER

It was at the airport , I was to pass through the passage to the waiting hall when I saw a bookstand with many books on display. Of all the volumes only one little pamphlet caught my attention. Boldly written in Red as the caption, ‘‘IT’S A SERIOUS MATTER.’’

I paid for a copy and thereafter boarded the aircraft. While asking myself what this serious matter could be, I curiously began to read, and this was the content:

There was this very prosperous city on an island. Everything went on fine for its inhabitants. Their political climate was most suitable and their economic policies were excellent. But one day, they woke up to discover that the sea around them was flowing its bank at an alarming rate.

Immediately, the government summoned all the inhabitants of the city to the harbour for evacuation.

All the people who went to the harbour were conducted into the waiting ship and were safe. But many others refused to leave the island. Some could not imagine leaving their beautiful houses, exotic and expensive cars and other choice possessions they had acquired over time. Others simply feigned ignorance of what was happening around them. Yet others claimed they were islanders and expert swimmers and so, would swim across if the worst happened.

As I read the story, because of the stubbornness and folly of men, the number of corpses found littered all over the island was alarming. Before now, these were the same people who mockingly waved at the departing ship and passengers.

And the truth is that every one who refused or neglected to go to the harbour and board the waiting ship was drowned by the raging sea. A certain woman was crying bitterly because her husband was one of those who claimed to be an expert swimmer and as a result could not afford to leave his home on the island with others until the worst happened.

I did not realize I was weeping inside the aircraft until the passenger who was beside me asked, what the matter was? And I answered, ‘‘It’s a serious matter.’’ I handed over the pamphlet to her and before long she too was weeping.

Then the Holy Spirit began to speak to my heart that it is indeed a serious matter, that the same fate that befell the islanders who refused to board the ship will befall every man on earth who refused to heed the call to come to JESUS CHRIST.

He further said to me-the ship is still being boarded and as many as would believe and accept JESUS are being conveyed into the ship and soon the end will come.

I suddenly remembered my parents, brothers, and sisters and unconsciously turned round looking as if they were on board the aircraft. I began to think: are they all saved? And I began to pray for them.

Beloved, everything may appear calm; you may appear calm; you may feel you have everything under control now. But know that someday the end will come and the only life preserver is JESUS:

‘‘Nor is thee salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’’ Acts 4:12. You have no alternative ship to board in order to be saved from the calamity that will soon engulf the earth. You can decide to board the ship right now by praying this simple prayer.

LORD JESUS, I recognize the fact that i am a sinner and cannot help myself. I believe yo came down from heaven and went to the cross of Calvary for your sake. I confess you as my lord and saviour. I ask that you blot out my sins with your blood and write my name in the book of life. Thank you for saving my soul. Amen.