First – No – I am not wanting to go to God any time soon. I think I am ready – spiritually and emotionally – but there are just so many things I still want to do. So many places I haven’t been or seen – so many experiences I would like to try – such a great, beautiful, amazing world to wander about in – too much for one lifetime. But we can try, can’t we? My goal is to – yes, pun intended – die trying. And while I have always thought that the term “bucket list” was both funny and a bit morbid, it is a good idea; everyone should have those things they really want to do and see before they trip over that proverbial canister. What’s on your list?
So, no – I am not planning on my demise any time soon – but I also know that this is one thing none of us can avoid, no matter how much money or energy we have. This idea -that it’s okay to die – has swirled in my head for 40 years. I began to think a lot about it when I was pastoring my second church in Andover, NJ. I was visiting this wonderful woman in a nursing home; she was 84 and close to death and had been a faithful follower of Jesus her entire life. She grabbed my hand and wept, saying that she wasn’t ready to die because she was afraid of what came next. Over the years, I have had a few of these encounters, and each one has made me wonder how that happens. How does someone lucky enough to live that long – someone who has proclaimed their faith thousands of times – still feel afraid?
Every person has their own stories that have shaped them. For some, it’s goals unfinished; for others, broken relationships that haven’t been healed. If you don’t believe in an afterlife, you don’t need to worry; that’s between you and God. If you have been faithful to God – not perfect – I believe that God’s grace is sufficient for our personal doubts and regrets. If you have proclaimed faith but done terrible things, you might want to rethink your life choices and start over. My God is a God of many chances and opportunities. In the end, it really is between us and our Maker, and no matter what, it’s okay to die. Because we really don’t have a choice, do we?
Prayer – Holy God, we are so grateful for the many opportunities we get to serve You and our neighbor. Help us to make the most of it. Amen.
Today’s art is “Mortality” by Miles Davis.