Over the years of my military career, I was issued a lot of equipment. Without any exaggeration, I can unequivocally say that I had enough gear to easily fill the bed of a pickup truck. I should clarify that this was not the equipment I signed for my section to use, nor were weapons or vehicle-related items part of this. Rather, this was my personal stuff that I signed for, took home, and carried around the world.
I recall the early years of the joy I felt when I was told I needed to go and draw more items from the warehouse. I even foolishly took pictures of myself in my garage wearing arctic clothing that I had little chance of ever using. I believe I had at least three different pack types for various missions. I had boots stacked nearly 6 feet high in boxes: desert boots, cold-weather boots, steel-toed boots, and other variations. Uniforms? My closet was filled, and everything was ready to be pulled off the hanger at any time and worn. It was always fun to pull my ballistic vest off the shelf in the garage and show it to visitors. In all, I had thousands and thousands of dollars worth of items issued to me by the military.
But in 2022, I retired. Before I was officially released, I had to complete a task. I had to give an account of everything that I had been issued in my career. It took me multiple trips into the warehouse carrying things—bags, boxes, plastic garbage bags. They even provided shopping carts to assist with the process. And then I stood before a stranger at a window who had a printed record of every item I had ever been issued, along with its stock number and value. As they went down the list, the things that had touched my skin were separated. No turn-in required. Other things were required to be shown, but tossed into a scrap cart. The majority, however, had to be matched for size, color, model, etc, and turned in. All items had to be cleaned and usable. If items were missing, you would be sent a bill for the replacement cost minus depreciation, or the amount would be subtracted from your final pay. It was a stressful time. Fortunately, the meticulous care of my gear paid off. I lacked nothing, and I owed the government nothing. I was free and clear to proceed with my retirement plans. My account was reconciled.
Recently, I thought about that day, and it also made me think about a day that will hold far greater importance. Someday, I will stand before God and give an account of what I have done with everything He has given me. Romans 14:12 says that on that day “each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” Additionally, 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” There must be no misunderstanding: we will not be able to explain or excuse our way out of it. We will answer for how we lived and for what we did with what he gave us: did we use our words to uplift others, or to tear down and harm? Did we use the time that we were given to productively build and lift the weak and hurting, or did we use it to cause dissent and friction? What did we do with our gifts and abilities? Did we use them to build community and further the gospel, or did we use our talents for other unimportant things? Did we prioritize serving Him and putting spiritual things first, or did we live as if time was ours to do with as we pleased? Someday you and I will stand before God and give an answer. We will not be able to avoid it.
Those are questions only you can answer, but you can start preparing for them today. Tend to the things that matter. Be accountable now and prepare for that day. Rebuild what has been damaged. The Bible says that today is the day of salvation, so we should have a sense of urgency. Therefore, live wisely and make today count.
The great missionary C.T. Studd is credited with a quote we would do well to recite regularly: “Only one life, will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”
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