I have been thinking about death. Prompted in part by the recent events our family, our brothers and sisters, have faced in Edson with the tragic loss of their daughter, Emily. This is where it began. The rest of it comes from the planning I have to do in my job for next month which also includes Remembrance Day on Nov 11. I find my mind is drawn to reading the words of Terry Stauffer's blog and to the words of the well-known poem, Flander's Fields.
It is not morbid to think on death. To reflect within yourself what that means to you. To decide in your heart and mind how to face and deal with death. It is not weak to learn how to heal and in fact it makes you stronger. If one never contemplates death at all, then one has no idea how to respond to it. Most people simply fear it and put it away in the back of their mind.
But one cannot ignore something that is in the forefront of their mind. One cannot escape neither, the reality that death will sooner or later take us all! What are we doing with our time here? Are we living while we are alive? Are we appreciating the very fact that we have life? Are we seeing God's goodness in it all? I know some who are, through the very toughest times, they have their eyes focused and their ears attentive to what is really beyond our own reality. Have you thought about that?
Life is initiated and orchestrated by God. Death is initiated and orchestrated by God. Does any of it matter? Yes. Is any of it in our control? No, not at all. He gives and He takes away. What do we have to hang onto? Not our own life. Not our own stuff. Not even those we love! But if we have given our lives over to God, then how can we NOT trust Him with our friends' lives, our family's lives, our children's lives? Life, though it is such an awesome miracle is so delicate and flimsy, so short, just a mist, a vapour...
So what do we live for while we are here? What do we do during our time before we die? Well, if you are not certain of where you are going after death, find that out first and foremost and secure it! There is no good reason leaving this off until the end, b/c it is too important- it involves eternity! Beyond this, each of us needs to find our purpose (or destiny, in a way) and live up to it. We need to use what we have and make a meaningful impact on others around us. We need to strive for what is right and defend those who need protection. We need to feed those who are hungry. We need to help and befriend those who are outcasts and lonely. We need to build His kingdom! Because that's what He asks of us. Will you expect anything less from yourself? I hope not. Don't be weary of life- celebrate it and use it. After all, is it not the greatest gift?
