By Sandy Pritchett
We have all lost loved ones at some point in our lives. Some of them we knew that their time was coming to an end while others were unexpected. Death comes to everyone. It can be a baby, toddler, child, teenager, young adult, middle age, or the elderly. Either way it is still hard for the ones left behind. As I write, this I know of several families that have lost ones recently. Some of these families knew that their loved one would be taking their final breath. Others had no idea that their loved one would die so soon. 2 Corinthians 5:1 says, “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
Why as humans do we fear death? Is it because we do not want to leave our loved ones behind, or is there something that we want to do or say but keep putting it off? I believe so. We are taught to fear death and that death is a terrible thing. As Christians, we should view it as a joyous occasion. We will all keep our appointment with death no matter where we are and what we are doing. Death will take us. As Christians, shouldn’t we rejoice in death? We have a reward waiting for us if we live our lives as Christians. I am reminded of a song that we sing “This World Is Not My Home.” As Christians we should not make this world our home, but make our home with our Heavenly Father and Older Brother. In Philippians 3:14 Paul writes, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:4-5 reminds us, “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a solider. And also if anyone competes in athletic, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”
Are we preparing to meet our Heavenly Father when He comes for us? “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily snares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
As Christians we should look forward to death, because we have a home waiting for us––a home that is far better than any home we can have here on this earth.
We have all lost loved ones at some point in our lives. Some of them we knew that their time was coming to an end while others were unexpected. Death comes to everyone. It can be a baby, toddler, child, teenager, young adult, middle age, or the elderly. Either way it is still hard for the ones left behind. As I write, this I know of several families that have lost ones recently. Some of these families knew that their loved one would be taking their final breath. Others had no idea that their loved one would die so soon. 2 Corinthians 5:1 says, “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
Why as humans do we fear death? Is it because we do not want to leave our loved ones behind, or is there something that we want to do or say but keep putting it off? I believe so. We are taught to fear death and that death is a terrible thing. As Christians, we should view it as a joyous occasion. We will all keep our appointment with death no matter where we are and what we are doing. Death will take us. As Christians, shouldn’t we rejoice in death? We have a reward waiting for us if we live our lives as Christians. I am reminded of a song that we sing “This World Is Not My Home.” As Christians we should not make this world our home, but make our home with our Heavenly Father and Older Brother. In Philippians 3:14 Paul writes, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:4-5 reminds us, “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a solider. And also if anyone competes in athletic, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”
Are we preparing to meet our Heavenly Father when He comes for us? “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily snares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
As Christians we should look forward to death, because we have a home waiting for us––a home that is far better than any home we can have here on this earth.