By Tommy Rush
Have you ever noticed how most doctor and dentist offices are deeply committed to communicating with those who have a scheduled appointment? This week I had a dentist appointment. I was given a card with the appointment date and time written on it six months ago. About one month ago, I received a post card in the mail that reminded me of the date and time for my scheduled appointment. Two weeks ago, I received an email, then a text message asking me to reply if I would be keeping or canceling my appointment. The day before my scheduled visit, I received a phone call from the office assistant to remind me of my scheduled appointment and then another text the morning of my appointment.
I hope I’m not the only one who receives all these reminders! Honestly, it’s a rare occasion for me to postpone or cancel a doctor or dentist appointment, but I will admit that the thought does cross my mind. It must be common for people to cancel dentist appointments. What other possible reason for all the reminders? It is human nature to avoid appointments that we think might be unpleasant.
Scripture tells us in Hebrews 9:27 that we all have an appointment that has been set. It’s an appointment that most people really don’t like to talk about. We get a lot of reminders in life but we can’t postpone or cancel. The verse is clear, ”Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”We all have an appointment with our Creator–or, as the old-timers used to say, to “Meet our Maker.” No one wants to think about this appointment, because we all know we’ve sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. No one has lived up to God’s standards. This is why so many people try to pay their sin debt by being good or striving to be more religious. These are not bad things in themselves, but you will never pay your sin debt by being more religious, generous or good. Our hope is built on Jesus blood and righteousness.There’s only one answer and that’s to place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Don’t miss the very next verse, Hebrews 9:28, which says we are “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Friend, that is Good News! We cannot cancel our appointment. However, we can rest in knowing that our sin debt has been paid in full. Jesus paid our debt on the cross of Calvary! If you put your trust in Christ and declare Him Lord of your life, you can be at peace with your appointment!
