Summary: "Look at that bumper sticker." Evan pointed ahead. "It says, 'Life is short, and then you die.'" Evan looked at his mother. "Is that supposed to be funny?" "Maybe--but it's not funny," said Mom. After a moment she added. "It does make a point, though. Remember all the cicadas that were around last summer?" "Those big bugs that were kind of like grasshoppers, but with big wings?" Evan asked. "The ones that were always making such a lot of noise?" He laughed. "They were always flying into people, too." Mom nodded. "They show up every seventeen years," she said. "At my high school graduation party, they got into our clothes and in our hair! It wasn't a very fun party! But the cicadas don't last very long. They live for only about six weeks." "Sounds like that bumper sticker could apply to them," observed Evan. "Like it says, their lives are short, and then they die. But you said the bumper sticker makes a point, you didn't mean about cicadas, did you?" "No." Mom shook her head. "A cicada's life is very short compared to the lives of most people, but in a way, our lives are short, too," she said. "Take your great-grandmother, for instance. She's ninety years old, but . . ." "Yeah, so she lived a long time," Evan interrupted. "Well, we forget that there's no time in eternity," Mom replied. "Actually, ninety years is only a short time compared to eternity. James 4:14 says, 'What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.'" "So . . . the bumper sticker is right," said Evan thoughtfully. "We live here on earth for just a short time, and then we die and go to heaven." "Are you sure?" asked Mom seriously. "I think so," Evan replied. "Don't we? Or can't we know for sure?" "Yes, we can," said Mom. "The Bible says we can know where we'll go when we die. It says we are all sinners, and when we accept Jesus into our hearts, He cleanses us and makes us children of God. The Bible assures us that those who accept Jesus will spend eternity with Him in heaven." She glanced at Evan. "Have you accepted Him?" Evan smiled. "Yep, I have," he said. "I'm going to heaven for sure!" How About You? Are you sure you'll go to heaven when you die? You may be young, but death can come to anyone at any time. Where will you be after that? The Bible says you're a sinner and can go to heaven only by trusting in Jesus. Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior. (See the ABCs of Salvation at the right.) Thank Him for showing you how you can know for sure that you'll see Him in heaven. Today's Key Verse: What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. (James 4:14) Today's Key Thought: Life is short; make sure of heaven
