I am currently writing a short devotional for a Celebration of Life this weekend of one of our Church Members. As I reflect on the last day of his life and my visit with him and his wife, I remembered other conversations we had that reflected his faith.
During his illness, we would mention his journey to heaven. He would actually smile and act like he was looking forward to it! I began understanding that there is a short side and a long side to life. He was getting ready to travel to the long side, to eternity.
That perspective really changes the way we look at death and dying. It gives a more peaceful reality to the whole experience as we understand we are simply in transition from this shorter side to the long, eternal side. That is how he could smile.
We often talk about looking forward to heaven. And yet, there is much fear about dying. I have felt this myself. But the more people I know making this trip, the more comfortable I am with the temporary suffering that may happen. I guess it’s like a woman giving birth. There is much pain and travail, but in the end the reward surpasses the painful part.
Grief becomes a part of our lives and we miss our loved ones deeply. God gives us this period to help us heal. So, I coach people to grieve well but don’t get rooted there. The journey keeps us moving forward. Death is not an end, but a doorway to more. There is hope to be had in the process.
“13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 NIV”
