Fatal Inattention

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
It was a cold, clear winter morning, and Scott decided to walk to work. He was young and healthy, and the thought of a brisk walk in the cold air was appealing. Sticking his radio in his jacket pocket, he clipped the earphones over his ears and started out. Not far from his home was a newsstand, and Scott stopped by to pick up a paper. Now he was all set. With a radio to entertain and a newspaper to inform, he was ready to begin the day.
Scott negotiated several intersections successfully, but as he approached the railroad crossing, something either in the newspaper or on the radio was engrossing his attention. Totally oblivious to the flashing lights and clanging bells warning of the approach of a commuter train, Scott started across the tracks.
Friend, are you doing something just as foolish as Scott did? All around you are the warnings of judgment to come: gospel tracts, radio messages, the man next to you on the bus who speaks to you about your soul, the girl in the next desk at school who quotes Bible verses to you. Are you listening? Or are the pressures of school or business and the desire for entertainment blinding and deafening you to the danger which is so rapidly approaching?
The Bible warns us that "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27). God does not want you to suffer that judgment. He is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:99The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9). Have you ever paid attention to His warnings?
Scott didn't pay attention. His eyes were on the newspaper, and his ears were full of the broadcast, and those few minutes of inattention cost him his life. The train struck him, and he was killed instantly. What a terrible penalty to pay for inattention!
Your life may not be threatened as Scott's was, but if you have not acted on God's warnings, your soul is in danger. God offers you pardon and forgiveness right now. "Now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 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). He calls you: "Come unto Me," (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)) and promises that "him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37). Won't you pay attention and accept His offer of free salvation today?