Today was supposed to be last day. February 17, 2009 – does the date mean anything to you? It is the date in which the analog signal on TV stations across the U.S. was to switch to digital. The date has been talked about for well over a year and the “crawl” at the bottom of network television has been constant since mid-August announcing to everyone watching “THE DIGITAL CONVERSION IS COMING, THE DIGITAL CONVERSION IS COMING!” It was not a surprise. The government didn’t decide at the beginning February 2009 to make this switch. We all knew it was going to happen. But – how did the American people react? Did those without cable take care of business and get their digital converter box? Of course not. There are still millions of people (I didn’t think that there were millions of people without cable) who have not taken the necessary steps to secure the needed device to receive the digital signal.
It is interesting. We’ve known the date for months. Months. Yet, the procrastination among our society has forced the government to come up with a new date – June 2009. How nice. There is a date though, that cannot be pushed back. It is an appointment that we all must keep. Hebrews 9:27 says, “…it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement.” Are you ready for THAT date? I don’t know when that date is and neither do you – but God does. And that date, that appointed date – that date has been settled since before you were born (Psalm 139:16). Are you ready to die – because after that IS the judgement. In terms of eternity, whether or not you have a digital converter box for your TV means nothing. But of most importance is that your heart has been converted by the saving power of Jesus Christ. If you don’t know Him – you do not want to appear before Him in judgement.
Consider with me Hebrews 9:28 as well…”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. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Christ was offered to bear our sins. See your sins. Look to Christ – eagerly wait for His second appearing – and you will be saved.
sojourning His path 
Great Post, Rick! I was really frustrated for a moment about the procrastination of the digital transition. What really bothers me is all the millions of dollars spent by the cable companies preparing with advertisements and such, all for naught. I didn’t realize that cable was a necessity of life as the government seemed to treat it. I really like the appointment to keep theme, a great eternal perspective.