WW 12/13 Death

The belief that this life is not the only one (i.e. that we have a continuing individual conscious existence of some sort after our present bodies of flesh cease functioning) is fundamental to my faith and significantly influences the way I live. This may seem gloomy, but I honestly believe this is a fallen world full of fallen creatures and that, simply put; we are here to overcome sin and pursue humble holiness (love God) and to help others do the same (love your neighbor). I believe we cannot accomplish this alone; but, by the grace of God, Christ has covered our sin so that by faith we may enter a living relationship with God through the Holy Spirit Who empowers our efforts. Thus, to me, this present life is one of sacrifice and service as we comfort and encourage one another along the path of sanctification that the Holy Spirit sets and guides uniquely for each person. I believe Jesus Christ is truly a resurrected being Who will literally stand as King of kings and Lord of lords to judge each person when all is said and done.

From my perspective then, whether I die today or live 50 more years is irrelevant to my eternal state. I’m not much interested in houses, cars, clothes, jobs, technology, progress, entertainment, recreation, or any of the other common concerns of worldliness… “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” and “having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” … and I don’t suppose there is some certain degree of pleasure or volume of experience that I must encounter here for this life to be meaningful or fulfilling. For me, meaning and fulfillment (as well as good feeling like joy and peace and such) come directly from knowing God, loving and serving others, and having hope in eternal life. Neither do I think of there being some specific quantity or type of good works that I must accomplish or some perfect moral standard that I must attain in order to be found acceptable by Jesus Christ. Rather, like I said above, I believe it is about cultivating and pursuing, day by day, moment by moment, with the help of and according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, a certain kind of heart: one with a genuine love of God that manifests in the diligent pursuit of holiness and a sincere, active love for others.

So if I was told that I only had a little while left to live, I don’t think I would change much. Life is often sad and painful for me, and I think a big part of me would be happy and feel relieved… going home! My biggest sadness would be that I wouldn’t get to watch my children grow into adults or see the grandbabies they may have, and I would worry that they would be too sad to see me go… but I would pray for their comfort and hope that I may see them all again someday. It would also be hard saying good bye to the sky and the trees and the land. I do so love this natural world and find her quite beautiful and amazing to behold… but I would hope maybe some of those natural things will be in heaven too… and expect probably there they will be even more majestic to behold!