The Check Out Line

Valerie Cullers 48 Comments
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Early last week, my step-brother passed away, he checked out. He was younger than I am, and by rights, he shouldn’t have been the first one to die, but he was. I hadn’t seen him for years so I don’t really know where he stood spiritually.  He did however, let me pray for him a few weeks before he passed. The doctors told him he had a limited amount of time and so he had the opportunity to prepare spiritually for his turn in line. They gave him six months to live but it was only two weeks before his name was called at The Check Out Line. 

You see, we are all waiting our turn at The Check Out Line. The Check Out Line is not linear and it seems random at times. You would think the first people in would be the first to check out but The Check Out Line doesn’t work that way. Sometimes those who have been in a relatively short amount of time are the first to go. Since none of us knows exactly when our name will be called, we must ask ourselves the obvious question, “Am I ready to check out?”

Lots of people think they are ready to check out but they aren’t. Those that don’t believe in God or life after death think they are ready. Those that believe that “if they are a good person” think they’re ready. Those that believe we have lots of chances at The Check Out Line think they are ready also…but they are not. The Bible says, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. ” Hebrews 9:27-28. 

We all need to make sure we are ready for The Check Out Line. There IS life after death and we must all face Jesus, the righteous Judge of the universe when we check out. He will of course look at what we have done with the lives he gave us but the most important question will be, “What did you do with the free gift of salvation I offered you?” He DID die on the cross for our sins and He offers us eternal life with Him in heaven. If we want to spend eternity with Him, we must choose Him before it is out time to check out.

48 thoughts on “The Check Out Line”

  3. May perpetual light shine upon him Val. Many saints became so because they kept their focus on eternity, and we know tomorrow is not guaranteed. Thank you for this important reminder. Also, I was reading my copy of your book today. So well written.

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  11. I’m so sorry for your loss. My aunt died right before Christmas. Two of my husband’s cousins were her caregivers at the end and were with her when she died. They let me know they had prayed with her and she died having made peace with God. She had a gift in that she knew she was near the end. Not everyone has that. I’m so afraid for family members who seem to be putting that decision off.

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  15. I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I, too, have lost a couple of people in my life over the last couple of years, and my husband lost a favorite uncle. It’s not easy losing loved ones, but it is so comforting that God is in charge of the checkout line, and that He loves us so much that He doesn’t want any of us to fail to make it through the scanners. 😊

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  16. Dear Valerie, I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your step-brother. What a precious gift that God allowed you the opportunity to pray with him a few weeks prior. Your message is powerful, truthful and so well written. I am praying that many people “happen” upon this article, so they get the most important item before check out, which is Jesus Christ. Nothing else will pay the price but Jesus. God bless you!

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  20. My condolences on the loss of your brother.
    That check out line….
    I always, always tell my family and friends, every day live with goodness and kindness as Mother Theresa says.
    If God needs me, when I get to Him, I shall be able to say honestly, that I lived His Words as best as I could. That I’m happy to be there. Non Christian, Christian, Hindu that I am.
    My late Christian aunt taught us well. 🤗

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