On this day thirty-seven years ago, I woke up hoping to give birth to our first child. It was our “due date.” It was also a day we spent time at our close friends’ house, having gathered to mourn the passing of his father.

Every human experience begins and ends with two “due dates.” The first is when we enter this world. We transition from our mother’s womb, where God knit our souls into our physical bodies, through the birth canal and are finally, violently and painfully, pushed out into the bright lights of a delivery room where we are met with a chorus of joyful cries. Welcome to the world, little one!

The second “due date” is also a transition—when the number of our God-ordained days on this earth is completed. Transitioning from this life to the next can also be painful and messy. There are a thousand ways to die. Should we call it the “death” canal, as it certainly can be a journey? The worst kind of passage for the one dying is a slow decline to the complete weakness that takes our last breath, but the alternative—a sudden, shocking ripping away of life—is hardest on those who are left holding the memory of a loved one.

Doctors and midwives can give our mothers a close estimate of that first due date. Sonograms, timetables, and measuring tapes in the hands of a professional can be quite accurate. And while hospice nurses are excellent at recognizing the signs of our transition, truly, only God knows when our last due date will arrive.

There are no guarantees that we will have any notice at all when the death angel comes to collect our souls.

Why do we make such extensive preparations for the birth of a child, but often, completely neglect preparing for death? Why do we feel it is important to plan for the things we leave behind (our possessions), but scarcely think of what will happen to our soul?

I’m thankful God’s word tells us how to prepare, both for life in our world and the next life in His.

Thirty-seven years ago, I was very prepared to meet Lindsey, our first baby. Her nursery was complete. Her closet was filled with sweet little outfits. The diapers were stacked and ready; the baby shampoo and lotions and all the “things” were well stocked. All that we lacked was the one we waited for—the precious and amazing child God had seen fit to create and let us borrow.

In the same way, Jesus is preparing for YOU. He told His disciples so.

John 14:1-6 – “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

The gospel is right there, in that short passage that gives us so much hope for the eternal life Jesus came to give us.

Believe in God, believe also in Me.

Do you believe there is “a” God…perhaps a benevolent deity who wants us to be kind to one another but mostly just leaves us to manage life on our own? Or do you believe in Jesus—the One sent by God, His Son, who died on a Roman cross to pay your sin debt?

Simply believing in God will not prepare you for your death date.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” He has done all He can to prepare for your due date. He has paid the price of redemption—death—so that your death can simply be a transition from this world to His. He has gone ahead of us, to prepare our room—a place in His Father’s house. He has prepared a body for you—a new and glorified body that can exist in the spiritual and physical realms forever!

When a baby arrives, there is rejoicing in the room. And for all who have accepted the preparations Jesus made on their behalf, there is even greater rejoicing when we make our appearance in the throne room of God.

Hopefully, your parents were prepared for your first due date.

Are you prepared for the second one?

Psalm 139:16 – Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.

Romans 10:8-13 – But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Hebrews 9:27 – And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.