Thursday, March 19, 2009

On Life: Death and After


Today I am reminded just how unpredictable this life is. Most of us hope and expect that we would live long enough to see our children and grandchildren. We think we can always count on there being another day called 'tomorrow'. But who really knows how long we are here for? Who can estimate how much time we've got left to spend on earth?

Case in point: Mr X woke up this morning, he had breakfast, said goodbye to his wife and kids, went to work as normal, and suddenly his wife gets a phone call, "Mrs X? I'm afraid your husband has been involved in a fatal accident...." and things never remain the same. Even if it is not an accident, it could be an illness. Right now I can mention two people who have been battling cancer and the doctors have told them that there is nothing more they can do.

Some weeks ago I read a book called "The Shock of Your Life" by Adrian Holloway, about three teenagers who died in an accident. The story follows each of them on an imaginary journey of what happens to them after they are dead. Reading this book made me think about death in a different way. When somebody dies, we grieve, we make preparations for a funeral, we bury them, pray that they rest in peace and carry on with our lives. But what happens to the dead person? The book attempts to cover some of these questions and you can read more on their website.

As a Christian, I believe that death is not the end, it is a separation from earth and current relationships, but there's more. I believe that Jesus Christ conquered death on the cross, and I have accepted Him into my life, then I am sure that after I die, I will see Him again. I will go to heaven and live with Him there for eternity. It doesn't mean that the prospect of death is not scary but I have this confidence that I have a far more wonderful experience after I leave earth.

Being conscious of what happens when I die means I am now more aware of how I live. If this world is all there is to life, then we can do whatever we like, live our lives without any obligations to anybody, satisfy ourselves with all the pleasures we can think of, etc. But if I know that my choices and actions here on earth will determine where I spend eternity, then it's up to me to ensure that I live right, according to God's principles. And I am ready to face Him, even if my life ends today.

So if I asked you: where would you be after you die, what would your answer be?

16 comments:

  1. I'll be back to read. There's something I need 2 talk to God about right now. And when you're reading this comment, please tell Him to hear me and answer my prayers. Thanx!

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  2. True talk FG....Lots of stuff to think about all over again......

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  3. It's scary to even think of or comptemplate death, even when you know that when you're going you'll be going to heaven. I pray that I can live a life that reflects God...thanks for this reminder (though this business of life and how we don't know how long we have on this earth has been on my mind all year.)

    I hope you're well!

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  4. well said dear. well said. Being reminded of our mortality is a necessity so we don't waste the time that we do have here. A good read on this is "The Slumber of Christianity" by Ted Dekker.

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  5. "Being conscious of what happens when I die means I am now more aware of how I live."..
    ..luvly piece..truest words..

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  6. "It doesn't mean that the prospect of death is not scary but I have this confidence that I have a far more wonderful experience after I leave earth."

    This stmt is soo true 4 me.
    hopefully I'll go join the Lord in heaven when I die.

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  7. By His grace, looking into the eyes of the One who has loved me for all time. I've been thinking on the same lines since Liam Neeson's wife's death...how quick..

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  8. Anonymous5:23 am

    just a mere knowledge and belief that Jesus Christ is all-powerful and had conquered death means one can also get into heaven to live with Him forever. If that is the case, then it should be Adam and Eve first who have done that and should've never been taken out of the garden. There are spiritual processes and things to do. First of all, one should REPENT - meaning doing not his own human will but the will of the Father in heaven (all works of the flesh - as in all, we all know that and yet so many professing Christians still dwell in fleshly works). secondly, seek first the Kingdom of God. there are so many churches being built nowadays but are seemingly teaching the same doctrines all over again. no fresh manna of revelations. a true Church has the name of Jesus Christ and has the name Kingdom. very Biblical. then the one who serves as a Pastor or leader receives fresh manna of revelations from heaven. If he doesnt, how can the true children of God receive divine guidance. So personally, If i am asked, if i die, where would I be in the next life? I know the answer and it is very definite. because before we get into heaven, the kingdom of God is here already on earth (Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.. Matt 6:10)and it teaches how to live a Godly life and how to live according to God's righteousness not according to man's thinking of righteousness.

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  9. this world is definitely not all that there is to life. while getting ready for work on Wednesday, a thought crossed my mind... what if the trumpet sounded what's going to happen? Destination after this Life where will it be???? that's one deep question I always ensure i have an immediate answer to, every second, every minute and every day of my life... its definitely with the father in heaven.

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  10. May we all be ready when He comes..amen..

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  11. Thank God for life after that...it sure is comforting to know that when i leave this earth, He'd be waiting to welcome me into my new home...halleluyah!

    Thanks for the reminder to live for the afterlife!

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  12. Anonymous8:46 am

    yeah its good to be ready all the time. but anybody who can explain what RAPTURE means? if God's trumpet sound, will rapture follow? who will be caught in the air? who will be saved? pls give light

    Karen

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  13. The resounding theme here appears to be - there is more to this life, yours and mine. thanks for the gentle reminder

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  14. The resounding theme here appears to be - there is more to this life, yours and mine. thanks for the gentle reminder

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  15. Anonymous8:51 am

    FOR PRETRIB RAPTURE REPEATERS

    Congratulations! You are now fulfilling the Bible which says "Come now, and let us repeat together."
    Be sure to repeat what Walvoord, Lindsey, LaHaye, Ice etc. repeat what their own teachers repeat what their own teachers repeat etc. etc. etc.!
    Repeat that Christ's return is imminent because we're told to "watch" (Matt. 24, 25) for it. So is the "day of God" (II Pet. 3:12) - which you admit is at least 1000 years ahead - also imminent because we're told to be "looking for" it?
    Also repeat the pretrib myths about the "Jewish wedding stages" and "Jewish feasts" (where's your "church/Israel dichotomy" now?) even though Christ and Paul knew nothing about a "pretrib stage" and neither did any official theological creed or organized church before 1830!
    You should read "Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty" on the "Powered by Christ Ministries" site to find out why you shouldn't repeat everything your pretrib teachers repeat.
    Do I have to repeat this?

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