Pastor's Pen

I pastor in coal mining country. I come from a family of coal miners on my mother’s side, and I have watched many men succumb to black lung, including my grandfather, uncles and church members. I share this only to give foundation for what I will write in these few lines. Many are the ones who can describe the passing of their loved ones as peaceful, calm, ready, etc. and then others who have watched in agony as their loved ones struggle and at times even fight their way into eternity. I have heard many with black lung try to describe their final battle for breath as smothering. They will say, “I just can not seem to get my breath.” Having been witness to this very statement, I ask the question, “Why would anyone not prepare for their last breath?” You do not have to be a coal miner, to realize you will one day draw your last breath. When your last breath is drawn, you will be ushered into eternity either to rejoice in the presence of the Lord forever, or, you will spend eternity in the lake of fire with the devil and his demons. I ask again, “Why would anyone not prepare for their last breath?” You may never see the inside of a coalmine, you may never fight for your breath and describe it as “smothering,” and you may think that you are o.k. Have you prepared for your last breath? If not. You are not o.k.