In life and in death
In the past week, I have read stories in the paper and heard personally of some really young people who are facing terminal illness or who have died. One of these women is in her twenties and has been diagnosed with cancer, with only months to live.
I remember waiting with Michael at the train station one afternoon last week after having just heard, and talking with him about it. The deep sympathy you feel for the person, the reminder of how really temporary life is, and also, when I hear of people in this situation, particularly young people for some reason, it seems to bring up for me the question of what life is ultimately about.
One of big things that led me to being a Christian was exactly this point. It was at a time when I was at university and I became quite disillusioned, and struggled with a sense that life ultimately had little meaning. This was compounded for me at the time by the suicide of a student I had classes with. I was crying out on the inside with the question of why, what is the point? And this suicide seemed to answer that question for me with the reply, there is no point.
I remember speaking to a relative who believes that this is all there is, that when we die, we die, and there is nothing more. I don’t know if he finds this view comforting, but I found it profoundly depressing and profoundly hopeless. That all of this ends up in nothingness in the ground? If that is what happens to us in death I thought, how does that lend any real meaning to life?
When I became a Christian, the answers I found were very different and they brought me much more peace and much more hope. That Jesus my Lord has swallowed the grave in His resurrection, and that having received the gift of His salvation, my spirit will return to be with the One who created it when I die. Not only did this give me hope for life after death, but it gave me meaning here and now. It gave me the answer that life did have a point and it was deeper than the things I was disillusioned with, ambition and image and financial security and ‘success’ and good times. God’s answers had an ultimate and real point to me. I was created for His pleasure (Rev. 4:11), to glorify Him (Ps.86:12, Rom.11:36; Rev.4:11) and to enjoy Him forever (Ps.16:5-6; Ps.144:15; Rev.21:3-4).
I guess we each find answers to these questions in our own way, but as I came face to face with the fact of mortality this last week, I was deeply thankful for the confidence I have in my death, and for the joy and hope that I know awaits me when that time comes.
Jesus Christ. In life, and in death.
I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live - John 11:25.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
Yes, the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! (Westminster confession of faith) To be honest I am in awe that our God of Glory, our God whom is Glory in Himself, our God of light, the alpha and omega, beginning and the end longs for us to give Him glory. To give Him fame, admiration, honor, praise, and thanksgiving offered as an act of worship and beauty that is inspired by feelings of wonder, joy and the bliss of His name, His majesty and His splendor!
My desire is that every page of my diary resonates Him. He rejoices over me with happy song (Zeph 3:17). So I can live, dance and sing in the fullness of His love and as an I Am representative. Yes, life is short on earth. I want to invest in eternal things and hold loosely onto all that fleeting.
thanks as always birgit. I have known our Jesus so long – I can’t imagine what life would be like without Him. I just feel sorrow & a broken heart for those without the blessed assurances we do.
God save them! God put people in their paths to introduce you to tehm and let them know you desire a personal relatioship with them for eternity!
Thank you for checking in on me recently. Your comment was really comforting. This post reminded me my health is such a gift. And also reminded me eternal life is an even greater gift, and something to celebrate, even when grieving. Thank you deary.
xoxox,
R
Interesting that you would like my opinion on the subject above. Being a realist, we all need to do the best we can for ourselves and others in this life, as we are all going to die. Death and taxes, there is no escape.
We can all feel sympathy for those facing terminal illness or for the ones left behind after death, but this is part of life. The people concerned will have achieved what they were put here for hopefully and if not their karma will continue.
To question ‘what is the point’. I can only say that we have been given life and should not squander it.
The relative who believes that when we die we die. It is interesting that you found this profoundly depressing and hopeless. Was this from your own perspective or what you felt for that relative? From their point of view they may feel that they ‘have’ real meaning in their life. Is it your point of view that they don’t?
It is wonderful that you have found peace and hope from becoming a Christian, but it does not mean that others who are probably Christian but not committed to your extent should not feel the same??
Perhaps you would like to share further about coming face to face with mortality?
These are my thoughts just off the cuff! Much love -
I used to be petrified at the thought of death – especially my own. Since giving my heart to Christ I have found that because I have purpose and direction in my life I don’t seem to waste it worrying about dying because I know where I’m going (not that I want to go there right away). My only concerns about my own death now is the pain that others will feel. Hopefully, as they all come to Christ they will be comforted by the knowledge that when I go I’ll be with Him.
‘I was created for His pleasure (Rev. 4:11), to glorify Him (Ps.86:12, Rom.11:36; Rev.4:11) and to enjoy Him forever (Ps.16:5-6; Ps.144:15; Rev.21:3-4).’
This is the whole truth and the whole point isn’t it Birgit? Everything else is meaningless and I can so understand people’s despair when they try to find meaning to life without God. We were designed for God.
Tali, I love the joy that spills over from you in your love for God! I love the way you describe wanting every page of your diary to resonate with Him, I imagine this delights His heart! And yes, what an amazing joy it is to live for His glory, bless you, friend xo
***
Randi, I’ve often thought the same thing, I can’t imagine what life would be like without Him now. When I think back to the time at university I mention here, the struggle to find real meaning, the hopelessness, the fear that I felt, I can see the transformation that knowing God has made, and I am thankful. Like you, I hope that others may come to know His love and grace as well.
***
Thank you Roxx, and how are you feeling now? I’ll drop by again soon on your blog to catch up, love and blessings to you.
***
Hi Aunty Lorraine, thanks for sharing your thoughts, and lots of great questions. I’ll try and reply to each of them …
The relative who believes that when we die we die. It is interesting that you found this profoundly depressing and hopeless. Was this from your own perspective or what you felt for that relative?
It’s the view itself I find depressing.
I was searching for meaning and for hope, and the thought that our lives, all that we are and experience, ends in nothingness in the ground seems very futile to me. It didn’t give me the hope I was looking for.
The Christian view of a loving God who delights in our lives, and delights in our growth in Christlikeness day to day, that the essence of us is eternal, and goes back to be with God because I trust in Jesus dying for my sin on the cross, all of this inspired the hope and meaning I was looking for.
From their point of view they may feel that they ‘have’ real meaning in their life. Is it your point of view that they don’t?
It’s not really for me to say. As I mentioned in the post, I guess we each find answers to these questions in our own way, and I can only really touch on what has made all the difference for me.
It is wonderful that you have found peace and hope from becoming a Christian, but it does not mean that others who are probably Christian but not committed to your extent should not feel the same??
It’s something you hope for every person, if they’re searching for peace and hope as I was, that they find it.
For me, it wasn’t so much about how committed I was as a Christian, as simply having my eyes opened and heart filled with the wonder and reality of what Jesus did for me (and all of us) on the cross. Like standing before a Judge and having a sentence passed that I am guilty of wrongdoing in my life, as we all are, and then having Jesus step forward, perfect in love and goodness, saying, ‘I will pay the penalty, let her go free.’ It is a gift that is beyond words for me.
Perhaps you would like to share further about coming face to face with mortality?
Not face to face with mortality itself, but the fact of mortality. The fact that each of us as human beings will one day physically die.
I look forward to more of our conversations :), hope this answered your questions here OK, much love to you too and speak soon xo
***
Such good points, Hope. Yeah, there is such comfort in knowing that our loved ones have gone to be with Him when they pass away, and also the thought of being reunited one day in heaven. I love what Jesus says in that Scripture in John 11:25 – ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.’
***
I really know what you mean, Rain. Yeah, it really has made all the difference for me, the goal of living for God’s glory and His pleasure. For me, nothing has compared with experiencing His reality in my life, and the peace that comes from knowing Him … ‘In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever’ Psalm 16:10.
I was created for His pleasure (Rev. 4:11),
to glorify Him(Ps.86:12, Rom.11:36; Rev.4:11)
and to enjoy Him forever (Ps.16:5-6; Ps.144:15; Rev.21:3-4).
Amen. And when nothing else is right in this world, those things still remain and will remain…forever.
Love you, Birg. Hope you’re well.
I love that thought, Michelle, thank you, that these remain. There’s such peace in knowing that we’re eternally His. I’m really well thanks, will drop by your blog to say hi soon :) love you too xo