It was a week ago, and our family was on our way to Marymount Child Development Center to attend my son’s high school graduation when I received a call on my cell phone; the person at the other end of the line was a close family friend, she informed us that her sister-in-law, another close friend of our family has just passed away. She was also asking me if I can help contact the funeral company. I courteously excuse myself, citing the activity we are currently tied up with; nevertheless I made sure to return the call after the graduation rite was over. Actually her death did not come as a surprise to us, she had a stroke about a month before that, had a previous stroke two years ago, and have been hospitalized for several occasions. We knew that her health condition is heading from bad to worse, and she’s maintaining a number of medicines just to keep her going. Given all these, we are still hoping that she would recover from her latest stroke. But at the back of our minds, we knew that this is bound to happen; but in spite of that, we are really saddened by her loss.
Because of that incident, I again felt the sting of life’s reality; that someday, at the appointed time, each one will have to succumb his or her life to death, and it is not a matter of if but when. Many would find it morbid to talk of one’s death in the future; but I believe that the sooner we can accept this inescapable fact, the better it would be for us. Great and ordinary men did not escape it, and no matter how much effort men devise to delay it’s coming, they were all unsuccessful. This brings me to the question, what is there for us after this life? To this question, I would rather seek God to answer it for me; being a Christian, I want to excuse myself if you find my suggestion as biased. But there are few good reasons, why I consider this suggestion, as most sensible and spiritual for someone who seeks to find answers for life’s mysteries.
First reason; what do we got to lose if we trust God on this? Isn’t it that God promises eternal bliss for those who will be saved and eternal damnation for those who will not? A natural man will normally prefer a riotous living, that is enjoying life like there’s no tomorrow. The problem with this option is, it’s artificial, and doesn’t satisfy the inner longings of the soul; those who follow this path will always end up dissatisfied and guilt-stricken with no hope to look forward into. Another reason is; I would rather die hoping. There was study made on this subject, and it was performed on animals, or mice to be exact. The experiment showed that when mice are placed in debilitating condition, those who were given hope variable live at least twice longer than those who weren’t given any during the experiment. Without any scientific study to consider, hope gives a good direction to one’s life; that to me is a very compelling reason.
Going back to my friend who passed away; she may have no part of what’s going on in our world now, she may be sleeping soundly on her grave, and all her passions gone with it. But one thing is certain; her Lord will come for her at the last trump, to wake and raise her to immortality with the rest of the saints. This is what the Good Book says, and what a scene that will be.
Because of that incident, I again felt the sting of life’s reality; that someday, at the appointed time, each one will have to succumb his or her life to death, and it is not a matter of if but when. Many would find it morbid to talk of one’s death in the future; but I believe that the sooner we can accept this inescapable fact, the better it would be for us. Great and ordinary men did not escape it, and no matter how much effort men devise to delay it’s coming, they were all unsuccessful. This brings me to the question, what is there for us after this life? To this question, I would rather seek God to answer it for me; being a Christian, I want to excuse myself if you find my suggestion as biased. But there are few good reasons, why I consider this suggestion, as most sensible and spiritual for someone who seeks to find answers for life’s mysteries.
First reason; what do we got to lose if we trust God on this? Isn’t it that God promises eternal bliss for those who will be saved and eternal damnation for those who will not? A natural man will normally prefer a riotous living, that is enjoying life like there’s no tomorrow. The problem with this option is, it’s artificial, and doesn’t satisfy the inner longings of the soul; those who follow this path will always end up dissatisfied and guilt-stricken with no hope to look forward into. Another reason is; I would rather die hoping. There was study made on this subject, and it was performed on animals, or mice to be exact. The experiment showed that when mice are placed in debilitating condition, those who were given hope variable live at least twice longer than those who weren’t given any during the experiment. Without any scientific study to consider, hope gives a good direction to one’s life; that to me is a very compelling reason.
Going back to my friend who passed away; she may have no part of what’s going on in our world now, she may be sleeping soundly on her grave, and all her passions gone with it. But one thing is certain; her Lord will come for her at the last trump, to wake and raise her to immortality with the rest of the saints. This is what the Good Book says, and what a scene that will be.
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