Time for mid-morning coffee! I had joined my usual coffee pal in the cafeteria of the big corporation for which we worked. It was Monday morning, and the talk turned to a week-end drowning in a neighboring small river. "I cannot understand how anyone can drown in that little old river!" exclaimed my friend.
The drowned man was well acquainted with this river for he spent many of his weekends in its vacation area. He was a likeable chap; and although he had a paralyzed hand, he was a good swimmer. He should have known whether it was safe or not.
Monday a week later rolled around. My coffee pal was missing when I went for coffee. Another fellow-worker joined me. "Did you hear what happened?"
My heart sank. Yes, my fears proved true. Our friend, who liked to swim in "that little old river," had drowned in it the day before! It could not have been because the river was treacherous; it was not. Nor could one say our friend couldn't swim. He had won many swimming and diving contests. Then why had he drowned? An autopsy showed he had been stricken with sudden paralysis while in the water. Thus that "little old river" had claimed another victim.
What a solemn warning as to the uncertainty of life!
We may scoff at a hazard one day only to have it claim us a victim the next. It could happen to you or me! And what about the long eternity into which your soul would be so suddenly thrust? Would it be the blackness of darkness forever, or "eternity with Jesus" for you? Take heed, my friend, while it is today. For Scripture warns: "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." Heb. 3:7, 8.