Life Goes On

I just returned from a funeral. There's nothing like a funeral to put life in perspective. There is no doubt about it, we live and we die. However, there is a way to live and a way to die. Jesus said, "I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). So it is the plan of God for us to have a certain kind of life and that is a life in relationship with Him.

Back to the funeral. The gravesite was located close to the road. During the graveside service a number of cars passed by. Some passed by seemingly oblivious to what was taking place. Others slowed down and perhaps out of respect passed slowly. But as I looked at the family it was obvious that although they were laying to rest a mother, a sister, a grandmother and a friend, that life goes on.

Funerals remind us of our mortality. They remind us that life is temporary. That is life on this plane. They remind us that one day "our number will be up." To some people the grave is the end. Boy are they in for a surprise. To others it is the door into the afterlife, which perhaps to them is some mystical existence of Nirvana. However, to those of us who have been born again by the Spirit of God it is the door into an eternity in heaven with our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I was at the hospital the other day sitting with a family while a family member was in surgery. There were other families in the waiting area. One particular family was sitting behind us passing the time by catching up on news and family stuff. Their mother was having a hernia repaired. Simple routine surgery...or so they thought. Doctors were coming in and out of the waiting area informing families of the results of the surgery and the condition of their family member.

A patient representative came into the waiting area and called this family out. "The doctor would like to speak with you, come with me," she said. They followed her from the room, but when they returned their contenance was different, their walk was different. Shoulders were slumped, faces showed shock and tears were beginning to well up in their eyes. During this "routine surgery" something else was found. Something that could not be repaired. Once again the mortality of life was realized.

To watch people live life today you would think that this world is all there is. People are living life in the fast track. Eternity is way out there. They have plenty of time. Many of them know that's not true, but it is something they can deal with "tomorrow." Well, tomorrow can be sooner than you think.