From the moment we are born, we start to die. My friend, whom I have spoken of many times is scared of death, or so it seems to me. He keeps his life very busy, as though he were trying to ward off death. We have spoken of it many times, and each time I try to calm his fears. I tell him that Scripture teaches us that:

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27

“And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death……………….” Genesis 27:2

I told him to think about living, for we will all die at some point….and then he will tell me. “I’m almost 88 years old. I realize my time on this earth is almost done, but I so love living, and you don’t understand how I feel since you are so much younger than I.” I tell him that I understand that, but that I also understand what Scripture tells us regarding death, and that none of us want to die, and leave behind those that we love and the life that we know. We cling to life. That is how our Creator made us, but death is a part of this life. Our physical bodies are not suitable for the heavenly realm.

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” I Corinthians 15:52-53

Our Lord didn’t want to die, and prayed three times in the Garden of Gethsemane to His Father that the cup might pass from Him, and if the Son of God felt that way, then it is only natural that we would feel the same.

“And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39

“He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.” Matthew 26:42

“And He left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.”
Matthew 26:44,

In the meantime, I tell my friend to enjoy life. He is a faithful child of God, and God wants us to live for Him daily, and to enjoy all of the bountiful blessings that He has given us.

The faithful child of God has a hope, has an avenue to God in prayer through His Son, is forgiven of their sins, has a comfort, joy and a freedom. Freedom……knowing that you are forgiven, and can approach life with boldness, and speak the Truth.

“In Whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him.” Ephesians 3:12

“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel. For which I am ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:19-20

Whatever time that we have allotted to us on this earth let us not forget to live, and be faithful unto Him unto death. It is this great confidence that the faithful child of God has, and He desires that we enjoy our lives, but to keep our focus on heaven and the pattern that He gave in Scripture to get there.

“Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:-1-3

“Those two little numbers with the line in between got me to thinking how much that little line means. One moment there’s a future and another that’s your past. Life goes by so fast, and our story is defined by how we spend that dash. So take every breath like it’s the only one you’ll get. ‘Cause there’s only so much breath you get to take. When it comes to love you can never get enough. So love like you mean it every day. From the first breath to the last. How will you spend that dash?”

Eileen Light