I Do Not Know You


But he answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.  Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.  (Matthew 25:12, 13 NKJV)
When I read these words, ‘I do not know you,’ I felt a blast to my heart.  To be standing there, in the presence of Almighty God, ready to spend eternity with Him, only to hear those gut-wrenching five words! That fear, that blast to my heart I felt, is what keeps me on the straight and narrow path.  Yes, I have questioned God about the path He has me walking right now and have often strayed when it got too difficult, but I am quick to repent and ask for forgiveness because I never want to hear those five words spoken to me.  I know that no matter how difficult or tiresome this battle is; I must press on. I find my strength through God’s word and the encouragement of others to keep going forward. “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14). 
I am saddened to think about those who turn away from Jesus and never accept Him into their hearts because I know what awaits them.  “And will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”  (Matthew 13:42).  The thought of spending eternity in pain and torture is something that God does not want for us. I have heard many people say that if God is merciful and loving, then why would He send His children to a place where there is nothing, but torture? I admit, in the past, that thought had crossed my mind. But I now know that hell is not His choice for us. We are the ones who make the choice to live for God or live for the world. There are so many in this world who needs to hear that Jesus loves them and that died for their sins.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). He took on the sins of this world so that we may have life everlasting through Him and with Him. I thank God for loving me that much! 
In my early twenties, I backslid from my faith. Meaning, I stopped attending church or reading my bible. I did not want anything to do with being a Christian. I got hurt by several people in the church and to this day, I have no idea what caused them to gossip about me. I fell so far away from God and started drinking again. I knew I was not living the way God had intended, but I wanted to live my life and not care what others thought of me. My relationship with God was non-existent. Two years later, while sitting at the bar waiting for my friends, it hit me. What am I doing with my life? Here I am, 29 years old and hanging out in bars and nightclubs. Partying every weekend. I went right back to the addictions Jesus delivered me from. I knew I had to make it right, so I reached out to my best friend. She talked and prayed with me and said that when I am ready, she would pick me up for church. A couple of weeks later, I stepped through the church doors for the first time in two years. I rededicated my life and began living for Jesus again. Since then, He has healed me from my addictions and the hurt I felt from those who have wronged me. I forgave them for causing me pain. I was able to move on, but I know that if I still held on to the bitterness and unforgiveness, then I was no better than they. Forgiveness, even if you have done nothing wrong, is an important act of obedience and what we need to do. Jesus forgives us and loves us unconditionally. Shouldn’t we do the same? I also had to learn to forgive and love myself. I rebuilt my relationship with my heavenly Father who still loves me even though I strayed from Him. I know that the more I read His word and be in prayer, the closer and deeper my relationship will be with Him. Whenever I start to feel like my focus is on my problem and not on the one Who can solve the problem, I stop take a breath, and then pray. I want to stay on the straight and narrow road. It is a tough road to walk, but it will be worth it in the end! 


I want to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” (Matthew 2:23). “Today you’ll be with me in paradise,” (Luke 23:43). Those are the words I want to hear! Don’t you? “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”  (Revelation 21:4).  I want to spend eternity where there is no more sorrow or pain. A place where God awaits me. 

 Blessings!

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