FIVE DEGREES

That's what I call her sometimes. She doesn't much care for it, so I keep it to a minimum. I'm talking about a nickname I call my wife. I tell her that's her comfort level.

Withing a range of five degrees, she'll either be too cold or too warm to partake in outdoor activities. Actually, indoor, too. We have one hard fast rule for indoors--if the temperature is above 60 outside, then we can't have a fire in the fireplace.

So while on a recent cruise heading to Miami on New Year's Day, I convinced her to eat breakfast on the deck overlooking the back of the ship. (I'm not too nautical: I do know port and starboard and forward and gangway, but I don't know what they call the rear of the ship.) We were awarded with a spectacular sunrise. On the first day of 2009.

There were only five others there besides us. One couple, armed with a camera, arrived too late to catch the sunrise as the sun climbed into a low cloud bank. One of the guests, a lecturer, offered, "There'll be another one," to the couple, obviously disappointed.

My wife and I had the same thought. After our longevity together, it happens often. How close some people come to salvation. How many times some have delayed an answer to an altar call. How many times seekers put off making the most important decision of their lives--to follow Jesus.

And, there may not be another one. Another chance. This is where it gets a little tricky. The Holy Spirit must call. I'm not about to say or think that the Spirit might call only one time. But God also gave us free choice. We don't have to respond to the call. Yet God has chosen who will be His children.

So what's the answer? Don't take a chance. No one is guaranteed any more days. If you are feeling the need of salvation, if you're willing to follow Jesus, then do it. Now. This instant.

Don't miss the sunrise today. That is, The Sonrise.