Death. A word most of us dread. It’s not so much the word we dread but it’s the verb that accompanies the word that we don’t look forward to. Death = loss. Equals pain. Equals going on, even when we don’t know how we will do it without the person we’ve just lost in our lives.
This might come as a surprise to you, but, I am ready to die. Am I actively looking for ways to make that happen? Not so much. Although, on Fuego, we used to say “try to die and see how God saves you”. A little ridiculous? Perhaps. I guess the reason I’m okay with dying is that I’m not afraid of it. Am I afraid of the pain that will come with dying? Yes. I’m absolutely not looking forward to that. Would I like to pass away in my sleep? Most definitely. But, I’m not afraid to die. Let me say that again: I. Am. Not. Afraid. To. Die.
Currently, I’m reading a book called Just Walk Across The Room by Bill Hybels, pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. [Coincidentally, he talks a lot about South Haven, Michigan which makes me exceedingly happy and full of joy and pride for my city!] The main message of the book is about growing in community and being bold for Christ; to walk across a room and introduce yourself to someone, learn their story, begin and maintain an authentic relationship, and out of that lead them to Christ. Hybels writes “If you really believe in the redeeming and transforming power of God’s presence in a person’s life, then the single greatest gift you can give someone is an explanation of how to be rightly connected to him” [p.29].
I know where I’m going. I know who I’m going to see on the other side. I know that where I’m headed is to a place that will bring me infinitely and exponentially more joy that I could hope to find here on Earth. What happens “next” is not unknown – I know that there is a God. I know that He lives in Heaven. I know that I will get to be in his presence, his beautiful, wonderful, perfect presence; for eternity. I’m not sure how many of us really think about our life here on earth as compared to our life in eternity. Have you ever thought, consciously, that we will be in Heaven longer than we will be in this life?
One of my favorite ways to think about my time here on earth relates to a gravestone. When you die, what is on the stone? A dash. In between the date of birth and date of death is a dash. When your time on earth is through, how do you want people to remember you? What attributes, accomplishment and so on, do you want those who knew you to ascribe to that dash? Chew on that for a while.
One of my favorite quotes in the book says this “My objective is not to contrive ways to ‘get someone saved’; rather, my objective is to walk when [God] prompts me to walk, talk when he says to talk, fall silent when I’m at risk of saying too much, and stay put when he leads me to stay put” [p.37]. When it comes to building relationships with those around me, especially those who are “unconvinced” about who God is, my goal is not to “get someone saved”; my goal is to come along side them, love them, do life with them, and introduce them to Jesus Christ who redeems, he who renews, who restores, changes, corrects, chooses, loves, touches, and forgives.
[Jesus] was fierce in his determination to look past ill-timed comments and inappropriate actions. He dreamed about what could happen in a person’s life if God’s power were released in them – and so he pushed through people’s fear and sin, and he kept including people, loving people & lifting people up to their fullest potential” [68]
Where do you stand? Are you ready to die? Are you in a place where you agree with Paul “and I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.” [Philippians 21:20-23].
With love, blessings & a grateful heart
Amanda
