I spend far too much time worrying about the moment of my death and not enough time at all worrying about the quality of my life…
Recently, some people who are dear to me have received a medical diagnosis that is terminal. They have been told to prepare their affairs and to expect to live less than two years. Neither of these people are terribly old. Neither of them felt terribly sick – until mere days before their illness was discovered.
At around the same time I heard a terrible story about a little five-year-old boy, who was tragically hit by a car after a morning of rugby while his family looked away from him for a few moments. And there – completely unexpectedly – in an instant he was dead…
And in thinking of these souls, I have been reflecting on death…
You see, in all of these circumstances the death – or impending death – remains in the forefront of my mind… And when I think about death I – like most people – think about a myriad of things. I think about the parents who will be left behind to mourn. I think about all their unfinished business. And that includes, the school classroom that the little boy did not show up for the day after he died, or the Lego that was left on the floor of his room. I think about the toys waiting for him in the cupboard that his mother bought in advance because she knew what he wanted for his birthday and wished to be prepared.
And then there are those who are preparing for their death. How does a soul do that? I wonder to myself…
Well, it seems that they simply live their life. There is nothing else to be done to prepare for death other than living their life. You see, we are born to live for the glory of God to learn to know Him and Love Him and be with Him forever in Heaven.
And I have been thinking about that today. You see, whether we receive a diagnosis that allows us time to prepare for eternity, or whether our earthly life ends in an unexpected instant, one thing is for sure – it is imperative that we live…
And our life must be a life that gives Glory to God…
Scott Hahn said, “Jesus turned death inside out and upside down. Death is the moment we usually associate with the loss of life. But Jesus made it the occasion for giving life. He didn’t lose anything at all, He gave His life, freely and fully. He transformed it into a gift, a prayer, a sacrifice.”
And I have been thinking about that today. Because the one sure thing in this world is that I will die. And I am sure that you will too.
But what is not sure is how we shall live. And I have been thinking about that today. Because it seems that I spend far too much time worrying about the moment of my death and not enough time at all worrying about the quality of my life…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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