Posts
Too many people try to avoid
the subject. Some refuse to discuss it, especially with family, as if it will
never happen. But we know it will and the Bible tells us we should be prepared
for it. Are you?
Eternal Perspectives by Sally Bair
Death and dying
As I write this column, I’m
grieving over the death of my older sister, Jo. Her death was expected,
considering her failing health, but facing the death of a loved one is never
easy no matter how imminent.
Young people tend to think
life will go on forever. As we age, however, the subject of our mortality
causes us to take closer inventory of our past. Did we do all we should have in
showing love to our family? In fulfilling our dreams? In serving and obeying
our Lord Jesus Christ? Or have we left some issues unfinished, like forgiving
certain people? What kind of emotional and moral legacy have we left to our
family? What about our spiritual legacy—is there more we could have said or
done to point them to a strong relationship with the Lord?
I’m especially mindful of my
own mortality as I watch the trees lose their leaves, knowing another season of
death is near. And believing a new season of life will appear next spring.
That’s what I’m believing for my sister—a new life with her Savior. Her last
gesture was a barely manageable smile as she pointed to her daughter-in-law’s
shirt that had the word Immanuel printed on it.
Only God knows the heart of a
person. The most honest, “religious” person may not know our Lord personally.
The grungiest looking may know Him better than anyone around. God is the final
judge at our death. We may face death in the arms of a loved-one, but the act
of being transported from a life of breath to its final cessation is experienced
alone.
“If anyone desires to come
after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me. For
whoever desires to save his life will lose I, but whoever loses his life for My
sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25)
As we each face our mortality,
let us consider where we will spend our future. Many people don’t believe in
God’s final judgment. Do you? Wouldn’t it be better to believe in it than not?
Losing out on the promise of eternity with Jesus in heaven is not something to
consider lightly.
Lord, thank You for Your promise of eternal life with
You. Give us the will and desire to deny ourselves and follow You daily as we
look toward the day of our own death. In Jesus’ name, amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment