Of Life, Death and Grief

Some of our relatives, friends, classmates, colleagues and well wishers died recently.  No doubt, their deaths are huge and very painful and they brought untold grief to many people including their relatives and friends.  I wish to dedicate this month’s write up to these people and others, who like them, are mourning the demise of their loved ones at this time.  In addition, I have it in mind to encourage them with some points pertaining to life, death and grief.  They are:

1.  Life, death and grief are key components of life.  The wise King Solomon made allusion to this point in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 4 by saying:  To everything there is a season… 2. A time to be born, And a time to die…4.  … A time to mourn, And a time to dance; Let us therefore get used to the idea that life, death and grief are key components of life that we cannot wish away. 

2.  God values the presence of the deceased more than we do.  It is often said that God withdraws those he fancies most to himself and the Psalmist confirmed this position in Psalm 116:15 as follows:  ‘’Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of the saints’’.  If you are currently grieving, I encourage you, based on the above passage, to loosen up and rejoice greatly because the presence of your beloved is thrilling God at the moment.  And you can be sure that he will take a perfect care of him or her.  Hallelujah!

3.  Death is beneficial in the long run.  The legendary Apostle Paul confirmed this view in Philippians 1:21 when he said: ‘’…For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain’’.   Meanwhile, the foremost benefit of death is in being able to reach heaven which is a fantastic place to be hereafter (Revelation 7:15-17).  However, reaching it is strongly linked to being born again (John 3:3).  Was your loved one born again while alive? If your answer is yes then, you have every reason to be joyous as he or she is certainly enjoying the comfort of heaven at present.  And that is an extraordinary achievement.

At this point, let me add that even though it is okay to grief, it shouldn’t be done as if we are hopeless (1Thessalonians 4:13).  We are not!  In fact, our hope is that we shall be re-united with the departed someday (1Thessalonians 4:16-17).  Therefore, do away with your grief as quickly as you can and celebrate the life and time of your beloved.  But while doing so, please remember to give thanks to God since this step makes him happy (1 Thessalonians 5:18). 

Finally, let us use this opportunity to review our current position in Jesus Christ.   For instance, are you okay with Him? Are you born again? If you are, brilliant!  That means you will make heaven one day if you don’t deviate.  But if you are not then, this is a great opportunity for you to do the right thing.  That is, ask Jesus Christ to come into your life and take over as your personal Lord and Saviour and He will.  And if you are not too sure of the state of your salvation then, consider rededicating your life to Him without delay. May the good Lord comfort and uphold you continually and may He rain his manifold blessings upon you all the days of your life in Jesus name.  Amen.

Jesus is Lord!