The woodsman stood by the stump of the tall tree which he had just felled, surveying his work with regret. He had made no effort to investigate the nature of the terrain which, was hidden by heavy underbrush, and now found to his dismay that the tree lay in a very narrow, rocky gully which made recovery of the logs an impossibility.
While the tree was standing, the woodsman had had the power of decision to determine in which direction it would fall, but once it was separated from its stump, a change in its position was beyond his ability, no matter how earnestly he desired it.
My friend, you are approaching the day when you may wish that you had the opportunity that is yours at this moment, but your ability to make adjustments will, like the woodsman's be forever past. Your condition at death, saved or unsaved, must remain eternally fixed. The Scriptures are given by God for our admonition, and they are full of warnings that death is the deadline. There will be absolutely no adjustments after the soul is separated from the body. "In the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be." Ecclesiastes 11:33If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. (Ecclesiastes 11:3).
Many people mistakenly believe that death is annihilation (end of existence) while in reality it is separation of the soul (the real person) from the body (James 2:2626For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26)). At the time this change takes place, the soul will enter its eternal portion of either blessing and joy or sorrow and woe. There will be great rejoicing for those whose names have been written in the book of life, and utter sorrow and woe for the ones who have neglected or refused the way of salvation provided through Jesus Christ.
If you are waiting for a more convenient time, be assured that it will never come, for God makes no mistakes about the time when He calls: "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2). "To-day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." Hebrews 3:1515While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (Hebrews 3:15).
Some people say that they will attend to these things later, but do not wish to be troubled about them now. If you delay action, however, and death overtakes you, you will die in your sins without hope of a change. "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." Proverbs 29:11He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. (Proverbs 29:1).