Devotions from Judy’s heart
We will not live forever! We all know we will die someday but nearly everyone tries to avoid this truth and does many activities to prolong life as long as possible. Just think of all the advertisements that tell us about a magic drug, a workout regimen, or right diet that will help us live longer. I read an article by Todd Billings who wrote, “The End of the Christian life.” He says we should stop waging war against mortality and instead learn to embrace and give thanks for our finitude. We may assume that if we don’t think about the end, we will be more content in the present. But Billings says, “As strange as it seems coming to terms with our limits as dying creatures is a life-giving path.” Right now, my 94 year old aunt is getting ready to go home and family is surrounding her and saying their good byes. It makes death more real to me as well. As we prayed for her, I could only imagine that thin veil that lies between this life and the life to come, and soon she will be with the Lord. It happens that most of us make efforts to avoid thinking about death until a loved one is dying or a pandemic happens. All of a sudden, we see clearly that we are not in control and gain a new perspective on our present life. Billings has had to also face death himself as he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at 39 that is incurable. He asks in his book if death is an enemy or a friend, and he responded by saying both. The apostle Paul wrote of death as our last enemy but it is also our friend for as we accept our death, it becomes an opportunity to grow closer to the Lord. We are in a culture that denies death but as Christians what is ahead and waiting for us, makes everything else pale. Our life doesn’t end in death but goes on for all eternity. As David prayed in Psalm 23(ESV), “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me….and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” The best is yet to come so let us not live under the fear of death but count it as a gift.
Challenge for today: Spend some time reading scriptures about heaven.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy
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