Best possible outcome
In life we spend a great amount of time positioning to achieve the best possible outcome. It is normal and natural to want the best possible result for whatever it is we may be doing in life.
Recently I had some medical issues that required emergency surgery and a 7 day hospital stay. At every turn, setback, and issue I experienced the best possible outcome. I ended up at the best medical center where a specialist was on call for the surgery that was required. I could spend a great amount of time detailing all the ways God had His hand upon the situation, but I think it is best to simply sum it up by saying I serve a great God who placed a really care team in my path.
Even though I had illness and medical issues, God provided the best possible outcome for the situation. However, that phrase, best possible outcome, has given me a lot of cause for reflection over the past few days.
I fear we are overly concerned about our outcome here in the flesh, and not concerned enough about our eternal outcome. The best possible outcome in the flesh is temporary at best. James 4:14 tells us “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (ESV)
No matter what happens here on earth, it is temporary. If you live a life full of trouble and difficulties, it is temporary. If you live a life of luxury and ease…it is also temporary.
There is coming a day where the temporary will cease and eternity will begin. Hebrews 9:27 tells us we will all reach this point, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,” (ESV)
The Bible is clear there are two outcomes to judgment; heaven or hell. You WILL spend eternity either in the presence of the Lord or absent from the Lord. You will spend eternity in a place where “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” - 1 Cor. 2:9 (ESV). Or, you will spend eternity where there is darkness, weeping, gnashing of teeth, etc.
Friend, the best possible outcome is to prepare for eternity. Whatever may occur here is temporary. There will come a day when you will stand in judgment. The outcome is entirely your choice. Have you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior? This is to ask, do you live your life as He has commanded, and do you do so out of love for Him? If this is the case, you have made preparations for the best possible outcome!
The other option is that you believe, but you don’t live as though Jesus is Lord. Even the demons believe and tremble. You must live it. You may have rejected outright submission to Christ. If this is the case, you have made preparations for the worst possible outcome.
Here is the good news; even if you prepared for the worst, today can instantly change your eternal destiny. You CAN prepare today for the best possible outcome. You can exchange sorrow for joy, hell for heaven.
Confess with your mouth, believe in your heart, and walk a new path…and your eternal home can change from hell to heaven in an instant.
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. - Romans 10