Just a few words today about life and death. Normally death won't occupy our thoughts until it confronts us directly.
I heard of the death of a young person this week. I worked with a girl while tutoring this week who lost her father last year.
Both of these circumstances involve young people.
We have this tendency to think young people have their whole lives ahead of them. They have opportunity, excitement, growth. Yet, death affects even the young. It stands as a cold contrast to the hope of a future.
The finality of death arrests us. No more efforts, remedies, treatment, help, counseling, prevention. An ended life will not resume in another chapter.
I do not mean to strike a morbid tone. I do, however, encourage you to think realistically. Does any part of your life feel urgent?
Do we, especially as believers, confront the reality that we too will die? Do we confront the reality of our utter lack of control over when we might die?
I hope this urges you, encourages you to consider your meaning, purpose, and direction in life. I hope you desire maximum impact. But why? For your own legacy? Just so people will miss you or say nice things about you when you're gone?
Scripture directs us to leave impact for the kingdom. We should live as if our very lives do not belong to us. When we think of time, money, our bodies, and their usage we should seek kingdom impact.
I hope this rings true for you today. We simply don't know when any given day may be our last. As Paul says in Philippians 1..."For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain." We may view dying as gain. Let us also view living as Christ!
In Christ,
Pastor Kevin