I write this in the background of cries, tears and ardent sadness and grief. I just lost a neighbor this morning of 18th December, 2019 and his loved ones haven’t ceased from crying intermittently since the incident.
Few days ago, I spoke with the man in question and interacted with him without any clue that it was the last I will ever talk with him on this side of life. To me, I thought he will still be there today and for many more years.
WHAT IS DEATH?
Simply put, it is the cessation of life. It is a time when the features that characterize a living being stop being manifested.
For us, those called to the Father by the sacrifice of the son, death is a transition from this temporary life plagued by diverse troubles and suffering into a life eternal peace with God. The Bible refers to it as “falling asleep” 1Thes. 4:13
WHAT SHOULD BE OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE IN VIEW OF INEVITABLE DEATH IF JESUS TARRIES?
If we, the beloved of the Father, washed by the blood and sanctified by the Spirit have the same view and perspective of physical death as the traditionalist in rural Africa and the wizards in coven somewhere in the West, then something is fundamentally wrong with our understanding of God’s way and the pre-designed path made for man since after the fall.
Physical death to those outside Christ is the end of all and the lost of all, oh what a miserable end such is! They therefore have reasons to live in fear of death and mourning so bitterly when death comes knocking.
But for us, death is the evening that a faithful laborer looks forward to, for the long awaited rest and for the wages of his labor. It’s true that he will be missed by his co-laborers in the field but he is even more excited to meet his master and receive his reward.
Our right and expected attitude towards the end of our earthly sojourn (death) is to JUST BE READY! Yes, be ready at all times for you know not the day the Master will come or call you home. (Mar 13:33 KJV) Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
NOTHING ELSE REALLY MATTERS!
In light of eternity the treasures of this world fades into a state of total insignificance.
The fights, the pride, the egos, the marriages, children, academic portfolios, successes and everything done to show self and belittle the next person without the ultimate goal of glorifying God will appear clearly as stupid and as foolish as they are for nothing, and absolutely nothing in this temporary life is worth risking our eternal lives for.
Listen to me: A day will come when you will look back and ask yourself “What for?” Why couldn’t I love more? Why did I put down the other man? Why did I spend so much time and energy building a castle on a heap of sinking sands while the solid foundation lies fallow? The things you once craved will lose their allure and you will lose appetite for your most cherished delicacies. And that day is the day you get to know that this is the end and it’s time to say the parting farewell to those you are leaving behind.
Just be ready, beloved; just be ready for we are on a temporary journey here. Just be ready!
God bless.
Pst. Donzoby @ KOLIC