There isn’t an easy way to deal with this subject. In fact many people try to avoid it at all cost only to have it show up eventually in their lives. Preparing for death is more than just having a will and making sure all the lose ends are nicely trimmed.
Recently I received a phone call from a family member about the possible passing of another family member. Forgive the ambiguity, but I thinks it better to approach it this way. It was a casual talk, but there was a sense of apprehension on the other end of the line.
“We need a plan—we need to know what to do.” he said.
I did my best to put his mind at ease, and mine as well. This call was unexpected, as many things are, especially on a sunny day in June. However, it was a grave issue ( forgive the pun) that was inevitable not only for the love one in question, but for us too.
Death is not easy. Those of you who have experienced the death of a family member or friend already know the range of emotions that spring up in the human soul. One day I will be there, in one way or another, but even though my lack of experience keeps me from understanding the true extent of the feeling, I do know one thing: the only way to prepare for death is to know Jesus Christ.
Granted, it’s a whimsical slogan, but its true. There’s not enough money to pay off death’s sinister sting. There’s not enough time to heal this wound. Youth is fleeting and old age settles in quickly. A bodily death is not the final all in all. Another place; another world awaits. This world (Heaven) has only one way of admittance. If the way is not taken, or better written, not surrendered to; there is the deserved realm of Hell that doesn’t refuse admittance either.
Death is inevitable, but the second death (eternal separation from God) can be evaded. Christ is death’s conqueror. He did this upon the cross those many years ago and after rising from the dead, death’s final act was destroyed. Yet many people today are not preparing for death–sure, they have their wills or accounts to purchase the grave plot when that time comes. The safety of the soul, however, is neglected; despised and even dismissed as a barrier to more sophisticated endeavors.
Your soul is precious to God. Sin will ruin it and will mark you a enemy of God and the punishment is Death’s rightful sting of eternal damnation. Grace abounds more and where there is grace sin cannot over come it. That grace is available right now. You heard the old cliché: Jesus is the way. Well, cliché or no cliché, He is the way—the only way from your sins and the due punishment you and I deserve.
Preparing for death is simple: repent and believe. Ask God to forgive you of your sins, believe that Jesus came to live the righteous life you and I cannot; dying on the cross for sinners, and rising from the dead. If you struggle with this belief ask God to show you the truth—He will and you’ll be surprise of how he does it. But one must be honest and God will never turn away a honest man or woman who wants to prepare for death.
So after the phone call, I began to think about would I have enough time or enough money to take care of things when the time comes, but God quickly reminded my about Jesus and what he said: I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by Me.
Jesus is life, prepare for it.
