I have a problem with death. I have a very difficult time even thinking that I will eventually lose someone close to me. I am blessed because no one in my family has died yet, but I know that it will eventually happen.
I went to a concert and the guy on stage was talking (Todd Agnew) about death. About how we want to hang on. The example he gave was of a single person saying that he didn't want to die until he was married. My hang up is that I didn't want to die until I became a mother. Then, however, he said something that really made sense.
What joy on earth could we experience that would be even close to the joy that we would feel in heaven? What we experience on earth is just a taste of the joy of heaven. We have just been given little glimpses into the excitement and happiness that we will feel with Jesus.
How could being a mother make me want to delay seeing Jesus? How could I even say, "Lord, I want to be with you, but I want to experience motherhood first" I am putting a condition on going to heaven. I realize now, that I do want to be a mother, but it is not a condition of my death.
I can't really understand, due to my limitations, what the joy in heaven would be like. What it would be like to feel no pain and to be happy constantly? How would I feel being in the presence of the creator? It's hard to say 'take me', but I do know that I will never experience something on earth that is greater than the joy in heaven.
Additionally, when I tell God to not take my family from me, I am again being selfish. I know that when they die, they will bathing in the glory of God in heaven. It will still be sad to see them go, but it will be reassuring to know that God is walking with them now, literally.
Death is a touchy subject for me, but I am beginning to understand that our journey on earth is just the beginning. Earth is not where we are meant to stay. Whenever you want to take me home Lord, I am ready.
3 comments:
OHH, my goodness, that definately made met hink. i totally know what you mean about saying i don't want to die until...I use to be like that but since my depression i could careless when i die just because i am sick on being depressed. but i know what you mean because i was like i don't want to die until i'm married and have a family,etc. but what made me think the most was the family thing. i never really thought it was selfish becasue i'm not sure where my family is going, but it's not my choice it's all in his hands. Good points and i'm so jealous you got to go to Todd's concert because i heard it was amazing beyond words.
the reason death is a touchy topic, in my humble opiion, is because society has taught us to be selfish. when others die we are sad because we don't get to spend more time with them, which is untrue depending on a couple of factors, why don't we see death for others as it truly is, just consequence. here we go in death reflects the decisions made in life, no amount of weeping will bring someone back or change their new permanent resting place. when we think of ourelves dying, we are selfish for the reasons you said, we want to do stuff. Not what i will but what though wilt, these words by Christ in the garden of Gethsename spell it out for us really. want to or not, it's God's call. but when we think of death with a differant meaning for the Christian, death should really be a welcomed celebrated thing. when a believer dies they immediatly go to be in the immediate presence of God, thereby gaining the greatest amount of joy possible. death has come to be known as a negative things in Christian circles, but why? i think that joining God in Heaven sounds pretty good.
Thanks for your thoughts guys. I agree, Mike. I don't think its just the worlds selfishness though, I think it is innate. It is in us to not want to lose someone close to us, even if they are going to a better place.
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