Embrace Death

On my way to another busy day full of impending to-do’s, I noticed something on my regular commute I had never noticed before … a cemetery. This particular cemetery is in the middle of a busy business district, across from a mall, surrounded by restaurants and on a very busy street. This was a sobering reminder to me that after we have spent our life looking for the perfect clothes to fit our body, eaten the finest cuisine and hit the gym to pay for said cuisine, we die.
Our strategy of get around this impending death is odd:

• Prevention: Avoid death at all costs is our crazy way of dealing.  I am all for prolonging life, but after all our diet routines, doctor check ups and experimental medicine … we still die.
• Avoidance: Think about it, when you clicked on this you thought, “this a weird thing to write about!” Even though we are guaranteed to die, we view death as an inappropriate thing to talk about. Avoiding the thought of death our entire life ends in the same way … we still die.
• Remembering: During this same morning commute, I saw a tribute on the back of a vehicle that read “In memory of John 19** – 20**.” It’s good to remember those we have cared about, it’s our way of recognizing their life, but it does not change the fact … we still die.

Why not embrace death? You don’t have to dress goth and play organ music in your car to do it.

1. Think About Death

When we contemplate our life, who we are and what we are accomplishing, we should think about our death.

It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2

This is not my idea, this was written by Solomon. According to scripture, God granted Solomon wisdom beyond anyone. Near the end of his life, the wisest man who ever lived is telling us: “People should think about death more!”

2. Make it a part of your plan

True wisdom can only truly be found factoring in the inevitable. You would not buy a house for $250,000 if you knew it was built on a sink hole. This only makes sense. Moses teaches us a simple prayer in the Psalms.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

All wise decisions are viewed through this lens.

3. It’s a part of THE plan

Death is not accidental. It is part of God’s design. It is your destiny.

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bare sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28

Vacation Gone Wrong

Think of life as a vacation gone wrong. You know, the one where everyone gets sick, grandma dies and Wally World is closed. It is possible to have fun on a trip like this, but you cannot wait to get home! The fulfillment of God’s plan does not happen in this life. If you have faith in Christ and follow him, death becomes something to look forward to.
The Apostle Paul gave a super healthy perspective on death: