from pastor Rich Allcorn 

This always makes me think of my parents, who are still with us.  I love them so very much, and I do not look forward to the time that they too must leave, but this is the way of life here in the Earth.  You don't go on a vacation and remain.  There comes a time when you have to pack up your bags and return home.  And our assignments here on Earth are no different.  We are here for what, maybe 70 or 80 years ... maybe longer.  But ultimately there comes the time when we wake up one day feeling fantastic!  We rise to a bright and beautiful world, like we've never seen it before, only to realize that something we've grown accustomed to having with us is no longer following along ... our Earthly bodies. 

You see, these are our "Earth suits", as Kenneth Copeland calls them.  We need them to function and to interact with the other physical beings and elements of this world.  But these bodies are not lasting.  The spirit is lasting - the physical body however does not.  And though we now perceive things in the physical world as real and tangible, that is only because we experience them through this "Earth suit", this physical interface with the world of the natural.  Were it not for your physical body, nobody in this physical realm would be able to see you or notice you at all!  You NEED this physical interface, this body, to interact with everything else here.  It is necessary. 

But over time, these shells of flesh and bone fade in their performance.  They grow weary and old, and eventually cease to function.  And when they do, your "spirit man" just sets it aside like a suit coat that has outlived it's usefulness, and you move on.  Your "spirit" is lasting, permanent, and "real".  Your body is physical, and very temporary.  And often in our time here in the Earth, we arrogantly assume that "here" is reality and everything else doesn't exist!  For those sad few, it is only when they leave their body do their realize that they were wrong about things, and the cost is dear ... and permanent. 

You only have time to receive Jesus as your Lord and personal Savour while you live now, here in this Earthly body.  Once your body ceases to function, your time is up, and you must return home.  If you accepted Jesus as your Lord, you have a brand new home where there are those who are anxiously awaiting your return.  But if you have not, if you never accepted Jesus as your Lord, if you were one of those proud few that arrogantly assume that after death, there is nothing ... then your home is not one to look forward to. 

Long story short, "life" here in the Earth is but a "twinkling of the eye" and it is over.  So, while you are here, ask yourself this:   "Am I pressing towards the calling that Jesus has for my life, here ... to fulfill that vision and that expectation that HE has for me?"  If your answer is "No", then it's time to get busy!