Louie Giglio stood on a stage in the middle of the Georgia Dome on January 5, 2012 and looked at 45,000 people sitting in the stands. I had the privilege of being one of those 45,000 when he challenged his audience with a question: What are you waiting for?
Giglio is the host of Passion, an annual Christian conference held during the first week of January in Atlanta, Georgia. The most famous Christian speakers, such as John Piper and Francis Chan, as well as the most famous Christian artists, such as Chris Tomlin and Lacrae , help Giglio host the conference. People from ages 18 to 25, all different walks of life and all over the world, gather together and fill every hotel in Atlanta to capacity for the goal of worshiping Jesus Christ.
On the final day of Passion 2012, Giglio spoke about what people should be doing with their lives. People often think that they’re going to start doing the “church thing” once they graduate or once they get married or once they have kids. But then you end up 67 years old, confused at where all that time went and wondering whether you’ve lived a good enough life to get through the Pearly Gates.
Your life does not have to be that way. You do not have to wait to start living your life walking in a path that will lead you to Heaven. I am not talking about being a good person because, I hate to break it to you, that’s not going to cut it. I am here to tell you that there is only one path that leads to Heaven and it’s following Jesus Christ. Without him, you will not get there no matter how many good deeds you do, how many hours you volunteer at a soup kitchen, or how many sins you don’t commit.
If this makes you think God is a horrible person for refusing to let good people into Heaven, then you’re missing the really amazing part. The amazing thing about it is Jesus Christ brings freedom. I’m not talking about the kind of freedom that allows you to do whatever you want. I am talking about the kind of freedom He gives through His death.
God had to punish us for sinning against Him but, because He loves us, He thought of another way to bring justice. He sent his only son, Jesus, to his death. Jesus Christ bore our punishment for sin so we would not have to. The freedom Jesus brings is the freedom from sin, a freedom that says whenever we sin we are forgiven.
The only thing God asks of you is to believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him. If you do this, you will receive limitless love, endless joy, and continual forgiveness.
You may be wondering about God’s limitless love or continual forgiveness. You may be thinking God could never forgive someone like you or love someone like you. But, God created you and He thinks you’re beautiful and perfect. He wants to forgive and love you regardless of whether you’ve murdered someone, you’re an atheist, or you previously hated Him. He doesn’t care about you’re past and will give you a second chance over and over and over and over.
So, what are you waiting for? Are you waiting until you graduate? Are you waiting until something horrible happens to you that you’re willing to pray to anyone who will listen? Are you waiting until you have children so you can take them to church like your parents did? Or, are you waiting because you don’t believe in Him?
Forget waiting. You cannot afford to wait. You’re life could end tomorrow. Don’t let time waste. Pick up a Bible, read Matthew, learn about Jesus, and know with 100 percent certainty where you will be going when you die.
