The call for Tommy was sudden and final. In a moment a major stroke paralyzed his left side and rendered him speechless. A few hours later, he lay on a hospital bed—dying.
Through the mercy of God his powers of sight and hearing were spared and his mind was clear. He was aware that only a few hours of life remained to him and the knowledge terrified him. He was not ready for death, and he dreaded it.
Such utter unpreparedness was surprising, because life insurance had been Tommy's chosen profession. He had worked for years for a big insurance firm, and protection against the uncertainties of life and the certainty of death were his stock in trade.
But the fact that the hour would surely come when he too must die and meet God, was something he would not think about. It could wait for that indefinite "tomorrow" which never comes.
Adding to his mental anguish was the memory of a Christian office associate who had often pressed upon him the importance of having to do with God about his soul.
Tommy, however, would not listen. The blood of Christ as the sinner's only insurance against the second death, he had resolutely ignored. He would not have Jesus then: and he thought it was too late now.
But was it too late? "The Lord... is long-suffering... not willing that any should perish," (2 Peter 3:9) and the Lord was still waiting for Tommy.
At this point Tommy's office friend came to his bedside with a message of hope.
"Tommy, you know you will not get better. You know the gospel—I have told you many times. Let me tell you once more, God loves you. He sent His Son to die for you. He wants to save you now.
"Call upon Him while He is near. Pray the publican's prayer. Here, I will read it to you from the Bible: 'And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified.' Luke 18:13, 14.
"God knows you cannot speak, but you can believe in your heart. Be like the publican—lift your good arm in faith to God. He will see and hear, and forgive all your sins for Jesus' sake. And I will meet you in heaven."
Tommy tried to speak, but he could not move his lips. So with eyes full of tears, he raised his right hand and struck himself on the chest, then lifted his arm heavenwards.
At this point, Tommy's wife and daughter entered the room, and his considerate friend left.
That night Tommy's soul went to be with his Savior.
At the funeral home Tommy's heart-broken wife told him: "We cannot understand Tommy's actions when he was dying. He kept laying his hand on his breast and then pointing upwards."
Tommy's old friend was glad to be able to tell her what had happened in the hospital the night before, and to tell her that she, too, might learn the way home to heaven as told us in the Scriptures: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6.