Consider yourself blessed if you reach the age of 70. But what if you found out that your time on this earth was slated for a much shorter period...say, 35 years? Would you be glad or sad? Joyful or wrathful?
I believe a good part of Christianity is the weaning from worldy entanglements that make "exiting" such a dreadful prospect. If you truly believe, along with the apostle Paul, that: "...to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Php 1:21), then "kicking the bucket" would be way better--infinitely better--than staying a little while longer. Of course, our welcome on this earth is in the hands of the Ruler of the Universe who sustains everything by His word, but we should, even now, turn ourselves off to the affections of this decaying world and set our hearts to anticipating our ultimate rendezvous with Christ.
It takes a little wackiness (indeed, we are a peculiar people) to be in the "Beam me up, Scotty" frame of mind, but you will notice that the variables currently existing in your life will take on a simpler tone, whether they be joys or griefs, if it is adopted. Things will be lighter. Pleasures will be sweeter. Difficulties will be bearable--even welcome--as you consider that they serve to make you more like Christ and that soon eternal bliss in His presence will be yours.
1Jo 2:17
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Ps 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Underdog,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post - especially for people like me who grew up in the cloying and seductive abundance of Western culture. Sometimes we deephasize one or other of those 3 enemies of the Christian and in my milieu it seems that it is the world and its moralistic/materialistic values that slips by the defenses.
Remembering that we are but our next breath away from the presence of the Lord - yearning to depart and yet content to stay at His pleasure - is a great balm for the soul.
I'm so glad and grateful that you posted this. Call me wacky.
Blessings,
Tony
Sir,
ReplyDeleteI believe every Christian will, at some point, disdain his current state on earth so much, due to many factors such as indwelling sin, that he or she will desire death so much, short of suicide, just to be perfected and commence eternal living in the physical presence of Christ.
Death is gain for the Christian.