Death is never an easy subject. It really isn’t. Think about it, when Christ says that we are live for him even unto death, would you be willing to do it? I find myself thinking about this because my brother in Christ, the guy who helped me sharpen my relationship with Christ, Eric, passed away last night. He was only 19 years old but man was he on fire for the Good Lord.
Sometime in death, I am often curious as to why it was someone else and not me. Sure, I get it, God has a plan. Blah Blah. I know that can sound a little harsh but I just sometimes cannot comprehend it. I have done far worse things than many people and yet, here I am, still living. I know God has a plan for my life but I cannot help but think, am I ready for death’s door.
Death is that one garuntee we all have in life. We are going to die. I would like to rationalize that perhaps I could postone my death through various things, but is that ultimately true? Now when I look on it, its not. God has appointed upon each and every one of us a time when we are to come face to face with him and it is only on his timing. You can be a biggest smoker or person to grub out on food and it would not matter. God is going to make the ultimate decision to bring us back home to Him. Well, I honestly shouldnt even say home. “Wide is the gate that leads to destruction, and narrow is the path that leaders to eternal life and few will find.” That is how it goes right? So am I ready? I sure hope so because that “twinkling of an eye” is faster than we could ever image. The hurt runs deep within me because I now realize all that death takes away. Eric will not be able to be married. Have kids. Walk a daughter down the isle. Become a pastor like is father. Share the love of Christ anymore. Make an impact on students lives. He was 19 years old. Thats young.
Now that I think about it though, what is the cost of living life? We get this however long appointment of life and what is the cost of it. Well death is imment but truly what is the cost. For those who believe in Christ, there is a party going on when we die. There is jubilation more than we could know, and all those wonderings of what life could still have been on Earth are silenced by the omnipotent God who radiates so much love that nothing else really matters. HE IS OUR EVERYTHING!!!! GOD IS MORE THAN ENOUGH! But………………….then we look at the other side of the coin. Death for the non-believer, the rebel, the insatiable oppressor of God is nothing short of torment. Once again, I get that it is a tough subject but when looking at Christ’s love vs. his judgment, 2/3 of the Bible speaks on what one does to recieve that judgment. Call me crazy, but it is time to listen. Not just listen on faint ears, following the ones we decide. No, it is following all the commands. There is a very real war being waged brethren again the faithful. That is the scheme of the devil. Look back at Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel. He was situating a divide among God’s people.
It does not have to be that way!
Death is coming for each and everyone of us, and while it is a cliche to say, live like today is your last day. Proclaim the gospel to all you meet because would if today was their last day. God has placed a reckless abandonment to follow Him and all to often we shut God up and do our own thing because we dont want to be uncomfortable. Well let me just say, we are accountable for each other. We are our brother’s keeper. Cliche again. I know. But really, are we willing to live so radically for God and to witness his love to others that we are willing to die? Perhaps you may not will do die, but you would be ready on any account.
On this “World Race” thing, I am pretty sure things are not going to be super pretty at all times. We may see a mother balling her eyes out as her baby girl is gasping for her last breathe. We may see those infected with illnesses and diseases come to meet Jesus. Our time expires but what are we willing to do? I know God said “go” and preach to the nations and I know that it was Eric’s mission to share God to all, embarassed or not. Why cannot I? I am bought with a price, I am more valubale to God thank I could every know so I stand firm, planted here today, ready to fight the good fight for Christ Jesus. Death may be close but God is closer. Death may sting but God is the remedy. Death may want to hold me down, but Christ rose again to lift me up. There is nothing to fear in death. We should be living for Christ more each and everyday. Whats honestly to lose!?
“We want to reach the kingdom of God, but we don’t want to travel by way of death. And yet there stands Necessity saying: ‘This way, please.’ Do not hesitate, man, to go this way, when this is the way that God came to you.”
-Augustine
Love you Eric!!! Have fun at the banquet with Jesus!!! See you in Heaven again someday buddy!!
In some way there is truth in this:
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Seek and you will find. Ask and it shall be given unto you! So here I am Lord, show me the good in this so that glory can be given back to you even in the midst of a friends horrible death! Show me your ways and that there is peace and understanding even in trials and storms!
