Skate Toward the Puck

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10, NIV

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NIV)

Wayne Gretzky, the famous hockey player, reportedly advised, “Skate to where the puck will be.”

For the successful athlete, it is important to anticipate your opponent’s next move. Timing is critical; a split second can give a major advantage for scoring a goal. Failure to anticipate can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

We can apply Gretzky’s advice to our spiritual life.

Sooner or later, our “time bubble” will pop and we will face eternity. It is inevitable, regardless of what the world says.

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27, NIV).

It behooves us to anticipate this reality and skate accordingly.

Fortunately, believers have a guaranteed salvation in Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24, NIV).

The believer who trusts in Jesus Christ alone for salvation has already crossed from death to life! “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11–12, NIV).

Salvation in Jesus Christ is a present possession. However, believers will still stand before the judgment seat of Christ to render an accounting of what we have done with our time, talent, and treasure.

The Bible frequently mentions the brevity of life. In terms of eternity, our life span is like soap bubbles blown by children. The bubbles last for a second or so. That is the time frame we have to discover God’s intended use of us for the expansion of his kingdom.

Today, ask yourself:

Am I skating in the direction of where the puck of my life will ultimately land?