Re: I don't care attitude

It's 3:00 am Saturday morning. I woke up this deep night and found myself troubled with the "I don't care attitude"

This kind of attitude has sent many behind bars and into their graves without the hope of eternal life that has freely been prepared to all those who are willing.

For some reason, my mind went back to the days at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan. While there, I recalled the sad ending of two dear friends, one in his 20's and another one in his 4o's.

The friend at his 40's was a very fine guy and very hard working. He had a problem of smoking. He was a chain smoker. The doctors and we, his friends warned him of the possibility of getting cancer, but his answer was always the same "I will not be the first one neither will I be the last one to die". With time, he came down with cancer and died, a very painful death. On his dead-bed, he repeatedly said that he would never advise anyone to smoke. If he had listened, he would have prolonged his life.

My other friend was the only son of his parents; a very handsome young man, a darling to many. He loved to party and drink heavily. One weekend, he traveled to another city for a birthday party. As usual, he became drank. In this condition, he wanted to do a journey that took 2 1/2 hours in just one hour. A few miles to his destination, he had an accident whereby the car almost climbed a tree. His head was found quite a distant from the rest of his body. And in this way ended a life of a very promising young man.

With all the knowledge, education and awareness that we have, I find myself troubled as to why we always entertain the " I don't care attitude" Check out the following:

1.A lot of students have failed their crucial exams for maintaining this kind of attitude. Instead of studying hard,they always goof around until it's too late.
2.Many have been fired due to this kind of attitude.
3.Many have refused to exercise or do a way with certain foods even when they have been reminded over and over that that kind of life style will soon or later send them to the hospital or into their graves.
4.Many have lost their families for maintaining a very stubborn attitude and refusing to even give it a thought. By the time they come to their senses, the family is destroyed beyond repair.
5.Many have lost one friend after another due to such attitude and now find themselves living a very lonely life.
6.Many continue to dig their own graves for refusing to listen to some advise that will help them see things differently.

But my greatest concern is that even when we know that some day we will surely die and that whether we like it or not this world will come to an end, we still continue to maintain this kind of attitude.

Today,I want to make a three fold appeal to all of us:

1.To those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, let us take a hard look at our Christianity and see if at all there are some dark sports. Let us renew our faith, open anew chapter in our lives and do the work of God before it's too late. Let us work while it's day.
2.For those who used to be very active church members and for reasons best known to them are no longer going to church, it will be a good idea to rethink your stand. Stubbornness to the things of God will take you nowhere. Do not linger anymore for the more you linger the more the enemy discourages you. Knock out those overtime and find your way to church. To continue to ignore all these appeals,you are risking your salvation, a journey you don't want to travel.
3.For those who are still lingering between God and the world, just remember that this world will take you no where. There is someone who loves you and has better plans for you. So why not come now my friend before it's forever too late?

Friends, shall we listen to the voice of the gentle Savior or should we continue with "I don't care attitude?''

Just a thought.

Pastor Absalom N.Birai 612-386-4608 www.maranathadventist.org