a valid question

Luke 9

23 Then (Jesus) said to the crowd,

"If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways,

take up your cross daily,

and follow me.

24 If you try to hang on to your life,

you will lose it.

But if you give up your life for my sake,

you will save it.

25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?

How many people, living or dead, do we each know who have “gained the whole world”?

People we either know personally, or know of through the media.

People with huge political power...

People who have incredible fame as an athlete at any level or capacity...

Movie stars...

Social media personalities...

Wealthy people...

Famous people famous for being famous...

Rock stars...

Country stars...

Artists...

Family members who rule the roost, no matter what...

Criminals of all kinds of ilk...

Despots...

Dictators...

Terrorists...

All kinds of people who have gained a modicum of power & or influence, but have never made the connection with Jesus...

What good does it do, end the end, for any of these folks to have attained whatever attention or notoriety, but have missed out on Jesus?

What happens to those people?

I know what the “correct” answer is for that question.

But for each of us, what is the REAL answer we each have in our heads & heart of hearts?

What does we REALLY believe happens to people like that?

Does any of the stuff they accomplished in this life count for them when they're gone?

One thing that keeps going through my head about the benefits of fame & fortune without a connection with God...

...eternity is a very, VERY long time.

I don't want anyone to miss the boat.