Life is short, very brief in fact. In the past seven weeks there has been the loss of three people in my life. The anniversary of the passing of my Mother will close up this two month period. To say that I feel their loss is a total understatement. I feel an immense void that seems never ending. It doesn’t matter whether the person was blood related, marriage related, or heart related through a close friendship or walk with the Lord. This passing is inevitable for each of us. We will all pass one day. No one escapes this grand exit. As we age we enter into the funeral arena more frequently but I cannot say that it ever gets easier. But with the brevity of life being so deeply fresh in my mind one question keeps in the fore front. “Are you prepared?”
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
Hebrews 9: 27-28
Called To Mourn Differently
As a Christian we are called to mourn differently. There is indeed an eternal life offered through the forgiveness of sins, through faith and grace courtesy of Jesus’s sacrifice on Calvary. I can at least say that all four of the individuals listed above knew Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Still the grief wells up and spills out at the most inopportune moments. Grief comes in waves that I sometimes feel lost in. Innocent little triggers unexpectantly send a cascade of emotional tears streaming into any daily situation. Give yourself permission to mourn. Don’t try to bottle it up. It’s okay to cry and mourn the loss of someone you loved. Even Jesus cried at the passing of his friend Lazarus.
Bridge Of Biblical Truth
It is equally important to remember Biblical truths in these moments to avoid the depths of despair during their loss. Biblical truths have always been a bridge of spiritual understanding to prepare us for our passage into eternity. Our lives here on earth are but a vapor they are so brief. However, what we do with the use of that brief allotment of time decides our place in eternity. Memorial services only recap the most prominent achievements and skim the top of the love that what given during a lifetime. Biblical truths helps us find our way through this life and into the next. How prepared are you with that?
Grief Complications
Death comes in many forms, an unforeseen accident, suicide, drug overdose, chronic illness, or violent altercation to name a few. The way a person dies affects the grief process as well as how deeply they were loved in the relationship. Grief can be complicated by the guilt of past should haves, could haves, and unforgiveness. Idolizing the person who passed is another way of complicating and extending the grief process. The emotions of grief are unpredictable and strong at the start lessening over time but never entirely gone from the picture. Accepting the passing of the person is the first step. We have to learn to let go. Reconciling any guilt, idolization, and unforgiveness associated will bring a healthier way to cope and bring closure to intense grief.
Healthy Closure
Closure doesn’t mean you’ll ever forget them or stop loving and missing them. Your memories will live on like a treasure keeping them close to you always. Thanking God for the gifted time you had with them is one way to appreciate and remember them. Knowing that their salvation through Jesus Christ was secured is another comfort to our grieving hearts. As Christians we will one day see them again provided that we ourselves have made that profession of faith and have secured a personal relationship with Jesus. That removes the sting of death. God provided us a way to be with him and the ones we love after we pass from this life into eternity. Are you prepared? Don’t you want to be?
Celebrations Of Life
Through the experience of the last several weeks I have seen some beautiful Celebration of Life ceremonies. One ceremony had been planned months in advance and executed beautifully as she intended. The other was planned short notice but was equally heartfelt and honorably accomplished for the family and friends who attended. There was moments of learning more about each one who had passed. Moments of tears followed by breaks of humor to soften the mourning. Love and sorrow, peace and comfort, all coexisted and brought hearts together to say final goodbyes. How prepared are you for your passing?
Conclusion
Life is very brief. Death is unescapable. Are you prepared? Do you know where you will spend eternity? What do you need to do to prepare for your eternal life? We all get one and there is only two destinations. Heaven or Hell. Which one will be your new home for eternity? Do you know Jesus as Savior and Lord to shepherd you into heaven’s paradise to be with him? Would you like to? Have you discussed or made plans for your own Celebration of Life ceremony, obituary, or headstone marker heading? As dreary as it may sound to take on, it relieves the loved ones left behind who will be in a state of deep grief of deciding the task. Are you prepared? Start thinking on it today and prepare for the brevity of your own life. It is a preparedness choice that you won’t regret.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
Beautifully written! It’s hard to deal with grief but it is very helpful knowing the Lord and knowing one day in heaven we shall see them again!
It surely helps our hearts with the loss here on earth. Be blessed!