The Joy Of Life And Death

The Joy Of Life And Death

This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength! Nehemiah 8:10

When I was young, funerals were sad events. It was hard for me to say good-bye to a loved one. Whether it was my friends who were murdered or beloved grandparents who had died, I missed those who had gone on before me.

As a doctor, I have grieved with parents who lost children much too early. When a child dies, the whole world seems out of order and upside down. Those events are forever seared into the parents’ hearts and memories. They lose their ability to think rationally. Their joy in life is lost in a torrential, enveloping storm of grief.

But if we believe in Jesus, we know that what awaits us on the other side of that threshold is the Savior who died to forgive us of all our sins—past, present, and future. He is standing there with outstretched arms awaiting our arrival. On heaven’s side of the veil, there is no sickness, sadness, or dejection. That is truly something to look forward to and celebrate.

When I was asked to speak at my father’s funeral, what came to mind were all the memories I had of a great man who had lived a good life. Of course, I was going to miss him, but I rejoiced in the fact that he was now in heaven.

It’s easy to focus on death. But life isn’t about when we will die; it’s about how well we will spend the time that God has given us here and now. We may celebrate the fact that we temporarily cheated death by surviving an accident or recovering from a terrible disease, but the only way to experience the pure joy of heaven is to step across the threshold of death.

My father fought the good fight. As I spoke of his life, it brought encouragement and hope to all of us who were there to celebrate him. We want to make the most of our time here on earth, but we also look forward to the joy of one day being reunited with those who have gone before us.

TODAY’S RX

Find joy in life today, and make every moment count.

Father, help me to fight the good fight and live wholeheartedly for you. May my words and actions reflect you and be life-giving to those around me.