Bernard was the husky, native skipper of our 32-foot sailboat. He and two deck hands were the crew for a day of sailing on the lovely blue-green waters of the Caribbean. It was a beautiful day, and the sun was hot. Wind filled the sails, making little slapping noises, whistling through the rigging, and racing on to fling little clouds about in the sky.
Suddenly Bernard spoke to Don: “Do you believe in life after death?”
Now, Don loved to tell the gospel and speak to others of his wonderful Savior and of the great hope that lies beyond this life—of being with Christ in glory. He was startled by the directness of the question, but his answer was quick: “I certainly do!”
“Let me tell you a story,” Bernard continued. “My friend and another man were out in their 14-foot boat doing some fishing. The other man leaned over the side to look down into the water. At that moment, a swordfish came, and the sword struck him directly in the eye. The man fell backward crying, ‘It’s dark—it’s so dark,’ and right there he died. Now, what do you think of that?”
We were all silent for a moment. Then Don replied, “He met his appointment. God’s Word says, ‘It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.’ Are you ready to meet your appointment?”
No one spoke as we sailed on, but God was looking down and waiting—yes, He was longing—to receive another sinner into His great family. Finally Don spoke again: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 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)).
The water slapped noisily at the sides of the boat as it hurried on by, rolling off the stern, leaving a foamy white trail behind us. At last Bernard answered, “No,” he said, “I’m sure not ready for an appointment like that!”
Bernard was not ready for an appointment with death. The man who was struck by the swordfish may or may not have been ready, but what about you? Are you ready to keep that last appointment? Keep it you must! Why not prepare now for it and turn now to Christ, the only Savior of sinners?