There are many things about human nature that I don't understand, but one of the most mystifying to me is our obsession with death. No matter what you believe about God or the afterlife, I feel that the general concensus is that death sucks. It is the worst thing that can happen to a human being and we do everything in our power to keep it from happening. We make playgrounds safer, we make cars safer, we make all dangerous activities safer so that even when we are doing things that might get us killed for the thrill of it, we are safe. Why?
The more we try to control something, the more it controls us. This is true about many aspects of our life. The more we try to control our finances, the more our money controls our every move. The more we try to control our social life, the more grip it has on us. If we try to insulate ourselves from death so much, that we tell ourselves it can't get us, then it is controlling us. We think about death, we fear it, we run from it, we hate it, and we are so shocked when it finds us. Death finds everyone.
If we lived forever, we wouldn't cherish the moments we have. If we started living life like those cheesy slogans "live like its your last day on earth", we would actually be enjoying life so much more! We would be free of the worry, free of the fear, free from death. Even if it finds us, we aren't surprised, because we are ready to pass on.
I believe that I am going to heaven when I die, I believe that I will be called home, I believe in something even better than this life after I die. So, even more than a non-Christian, why should I fear death? Why should I care what death does to me or the ones I love? Death has no power here, because if Jesus calls me home, I should be happy to see my Savior, and my family and friends should rejoice for me.
I know, I know. We are only human, we will grieve for the ones we love. We want one more minute to be with that person, we want to share one last cup of tea with them, and we didn't get that. And grieving is not bad, or harmful. It's a good process. But let's make sure that we remember what our time on earth is really for. Is it go gain more friends? Is it to make the largest impact? Is it to leave an unforgettable legacy? No. My purpose is to serve the One true God, and it is He who has power over death. So when I go home to meet my Father, I hope you will not be full of too much sorrow, but will remember what we were put here to do.
Don't try to control death, for if you do, you will be controlled by it, all of your days.
BTW.
The more we try to control something, the more it controls us. This is true about many aspects of our life. The more we try to control our finances, the more our money controls our every move. The more we try to control our social life, the more grip it has on us. If we try to insulate ourselves from death so much, that we tell ourselves it can't get us, then it is controlling us. We think about death, we fear it, we run from it, we hate it, and we are so shocked when it finds us. Death finds everyone.
If we lived forever, we wouldn't cherish the moments we have. If we started living life like those cheesy slogans "live like its your last day on earth", we would actually be enjoying life so much more! We would be free of the worry, free of the fear, free from death. Even if it finds us, we aren't surprised, because we are ready to pass on.
I believe that I am going to heaven when I die, I believe that I will be called home, I believe in something even better than this life after I die. So, even more than a non-Christian, why should I fear death? Why should I care what death does to me or the ones I love? Death has no power here, because if Jesus calls me home, I should be happy to see my Savior, and my family and friends should rejoice for me.
I know, I know. We are only human, we will grieve for the ones we love. We want one more minute to be with that person, we want to share one last cup of tea with them, and we didn't get that. And grieving is not bad, or harmful. It's a good process. But let's make sure that we remember what our time on earth is really for. Is it go gain more friends? Is it to make the largest impact? Is it to leave an unforgettable legacy? No. My purpose is to serve the One true God, and it is He who has power over death. So when I go home to meet my Father, I hope you will not be full of too much sorrow, but will remember what we were put here to do.
Don't try to control death, for if you do, you will be controlled by it, all of your days.
BTW.