DEATH: WE DON’T LIKE IT, BUT WE WILL ALL EXPERIENCE IT

SCRIPTURE:
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 
(1 Corinthians 15:55)

MEDITATION:
Death is a democratic experience 
because it is something we will all participate in. 
We like to think of it as something that only happens to other people. 
We don’t like to grow old and we don’t like to die.

Entrepreneurs have developed all kinds of “stay young” products.
Why? Because many people are trying to cling to their youth.
The thought of growing old means that death is getting nearer.
Some grow older gracefully 
because they are not trying to be someone they are not.

Aging doesn’t mean "disconnect" with younger generations, 
it just means that we don’t try to act like, or become one of them.
We can still “connect” with younger folks just fine 
by being ourselves and accepting the fact that we are aging.

The world would have us believe 
that death is the ultimate finality of life and living.
But is it? 
The Bible teaches that death is an enemy of man and God.

But it also teaches that this enemy has been defeated 
at the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
An lastly, 
it promises a continuation of life for those who belong to the Lord.
For Christians, death brings a permanent freedom from evil.

We will exchange our aging bodies for a brand new body.
All of the struggles we have had on earth will be gone!
We will have a new level of love. 
So much of self is involved in what we do here; 
but one day, in Christ, we will be able to experience perfect love.

Our efforts to “see” Jesus 
and our Heavenly Father will finally happen!
We communicate with them and try to please them while 
we are living, but we will be able to see them face to face!
Can you imagine what that experience will be like?
What a glorious time it will be when we get to heaven!

ACTION:
Have you accepted the fact 
that from the time you are born, you start aging?
Your aging continues and culminates (on earth) in death.
What happens to you then?

Will you continue living with the One you have worshipped 
while living on earth, or will you be sentenced to 
an eternal punishment of separation from Him?
If you are not worshipping and living for Him right now, you 
won’t have an opportunity to start when death arrives at your door.

So, are you investing all of your time and efforts dedicated to
achieving all you can for your brief time on earth, or are you 
investing a portion of your time to worship and serve the Lord?
Be honest, which is most important?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I honestly do not enjoy the thought of 
aging and dying. I need Your help to accept these inevitable 
events in my life. Help me to allow the Holy Spirit to dwell 
within me so that when the signs of aging begin to show, I 
will accept them without trying to change and become someone 
I am not. I pray that You will also help me to overcome my
fears of the death that Jesus defeated. Give me a calmness and
help me to look past death to the blissfulness of spending time 
with You. Show me how I can dedicate a of portion of my time 
to serving You now.”