“As it is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the
judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27, KJV)
I think about
death two or three times a week. I’m a little fascinated with it (as long as it’s
happening to somebody else)!
I’ve collected
many poems, stories and jokes about death. Whether it’s “So live that when thy
summons comes to join”… or the “little toy dog is covered with dust”… or “I
have a rendezvous with death”… or even the memorable quote from the movie,
“What about Bob;” “You’re going to die, we’re all going to die,”… death surrounds
us, and reminds us of its inevitability.
I was at the post
office today, and looked over to my right. In front of me, in all its glory was
a hearse. After I retrieved my mail I pulled out of the parking lot, only to
see the hearse just behind me, and catching up. Of course, this can give you
“the willies.” Well, the hearse was still there one, and then two miles later.
And this illusion
is so reminiscent of our eventual fate. The hearse is just behind us. My casket
may have already been manufactured, and just waiting “to be filled.” Without
any doubt, God won’t be caught unawares. He won’t turn to the Death Angel and
say “Why did you do that?”
Our times are in
His hands, literally. We will abide ‘til he decides to dispatch the Death Angel
to us. And except for the two people that were translated that they should not
see death, all will encounter death. We haven’t been given a choice.
But “Oh death
where is your sting, and Oh grave where is thy victory?” (1st Cor.
15:55, KJV) We simply cannot stay here. We will all pass from this life at a
time appointed by our Creator. But I’m so grateful that death need not be a
time of trepidation or personal pain.
Some have said
that we are earthly beings having a spiritual experience. But I believe we are
spiritual beings having an earthly experience. Our life here is like fog in the
morning. The confusion, the obtuseness of this life will pass. Heaven will
exceed our wildest imaginations.
I love the
mountains. I love the snow. I love the ocean. I’m convinced that these same
features will exist in heaven. But if not, God has already planned, (and
possibly prepared) the most luxurious of environments for us.
Paul said that he
was caught betwixt living and dying, “And though death is probably better for
me, I feel sure that I will be left here for now.” (Phil. 1:23-24, MPV) Our
Apostle Friend was homesick; homesick for heaven. Perhaps he knew that his life
would be measured in a few short months or years. He would literally lay down
his life on the Caesar’s altar.
Yes, our Father has
our welfare at heart, and it is He who makes decisions about the term of our
lives here. My friends, we can trust Him with the most minute of choices.
I’m glad He
doesn’t share the exact time of our deaths with us. Knowing the date of one’s
death could immobilize all but the most stalwart of men. Granted, it’s not
something we ought to brood over, or invest hours thinking about. But we must
have healthy fear of not fulfilling the plans he had for us from the beginning
of time. That old hearse continues to circle the block, and pops up here and
there, from time to time. But sometimes it is empty, and when it is not
… I know it’s not me!
By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "Unconventional Devotions" Copyright 2005
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