Maybe it is just that I find it hard to consider myself as “old,” but it seems that a lot of “young people” have passed away recently. I suppose I need to bring myself to realize there are more people who are younger than I am now, than there are older people still living who I know. Regardless of the age of the person, the first thought I have when I hear of someone passing is, “did they have a personal relationship with Christ?”
I personally knew a few of those who passed recently. I know from their testimony that they are now in heaven with their Savior. On the other hand, and I hate to say it, but for some of those who I have heard about passing, their eternal home was unsure. Even those in their family seemed to think their life was just over, and that was it. But the Bible teaches differently.
Whether the years we live on this earth are short or long, we will live for eternity – as in forever. You can find many verses in the Bible that refer to us living eternally. Such as the most famous verse of all:
However, we are not promised a long life on this earth. In fact, the Bible says our lives are like a vapor.
Since we will live forever, does it not make more sense to prepare ourselves for the life in which we will live the longest? Yes, we are to work to provide for ourselves here. We cannot stop working and living and just wait to die. However, so many are seeking enjoyment and fulfillment from the things in this world more than they are planning for their eternal life. Many are living as if they will live forever on this earth. Some people just do not believe our souls will live on after our body dies.
I personally feel that even though losing someone we love is extremely hard, there is a measure of comfort and hope in knowing that, based upon their profession of faith in Christ, they are eternally safe in heaven. But, for those who had not made that profession of faith publicly, or who had not given evidence of their eternal salvation during their life here on earth, going to their funeral was so much harder. Even as the deceased person’s loved ones hoped and stated they were “finally at peace,” or was “at home,” I had that sickening pit in my stomach that they were far from being at peace. Their eternal home is probably one of pain and suffering that is never going to end.
So, a simple question to consider is this: do they know? Do the people you love, the ones who will grieve when you leave this earth, do they know where you are going when you die?
Do you know? If you are unsure of your own salvation, please get it settled. Call out to the Lord. Reach out to a Christian who can explain to you the plan of salvation. Contact me. Eternity is too long, and life here is too short. Get it settled.
If you are sure, then live your salvation outwardly. Be vocal. Let the people you care about know that you know where you are going when you die. Telling people about your assurance of your salvation and that you know you will be with the Lord will bring so much comfort and peace amid the grief they will feel. Let them all know!
I know where I am going! Do you?