Death entered our family lives again last week when our dear, beloved son-in-law, died from kidney cancer. We were prepared, we knew, but the shock of finality, of death, is painful and I grieved heavily. On May 8, 2021 we finally held our Memorial Service for my husband, Dick, who died on May 6 of 2020 at age 90. Remember, everything was postponed, delayed and canceled because of Covid. But we finally had closure only weeks ago. Here I am again dealing with the grief that accompanies news of death, especially with a close family member. This grief is even more painful because our son-in-law was only 55. He had a long life ahead of him with his wife and family. But, why do we believers grieve? We know our loved ones who believe in the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will live in paradise for all eternity. Grief is because we who survive will desperately miss our loved ones. We grieve because of our loss.
Our culture doesn't help us regarding death. Think about it. Do we easily have an ordinary conversation about death? Do we ignore death? Do we even deny death? But death is part of life. Every human being will at some point die. Our life span these days can be 90 plus years, but our bodies age, our bodies even decay at some point. Why do we deny death? If we know we are going to be in a totally different place some day, don't you think it would be wise to read all about that place, ask questions about that place and totally prepare for death? But how much time do we take to think about eternity in heaven.
Another problem our culture has these days. Our lives are being extended. Medical science has discovered myriad ways to keep us alive. Over 100 years ago, people just died. Now modern medicine doesn't let you die. We have availability to purchase tons of pills and medical devices that help us breathe, control our heart rate, clean our lungs, digest our food, help us walk, enable us to struggle living alone, and extend our physical lives for years. But what eventually happens? We all die.
Do we then become afraid of dying? Or do we approach the idea of death legally and responsibly. If we feel that our culture doesn't want us to die, even if we are comatose, what do we do? What I did. I made decisions. I did not want to be kept artificially alive so I signed legal papers to make sure my family and my medical caregivers would know what to do. We all must be aware that life and death issues must be handled legally and that means signatures. Our lives have become so complicated we must make decisions now before we become physically unable to do so.
The Bible gives us proof that heaven will be a glorious place. Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place. How wonderful, how glorious. Jesus said, "Let not your hearts be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." John 14: 1 - 3. Also, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." John 14: 6. Yes, Jesus emphasizes that belief in Him is critical for all of us to enter heaven.
Why should we worry about death, why should we be afraid of death, and why should we ignore talking about death? When we believe in Jesus as our Savior, Redeemer and Son of God let us rejoice that our eternal life after death will be with God in paradise. We rejoice that our beloved Dick and son-in-law are in heaven now living with our Creator and Redeemer in the glory of the New Jerusalem......"The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light." Revelation 21: 23. AMEN!
