Christian Living
Is This All There Is?
"Mama D, do dogs go to heaven when they die?" My granddaughter sincerely wanted an answer to her concern about their family pet recently succumbed to old age. No doubt many parents and grandparents have been asked this question over time. I wanted to give my precious only granddaughter an answer that would comfort in her time of true grief. She had been taught the wonder and splendor of heaven and believed there was something better waiting. I remembered that Jesus said we must come to him as a child comes: dependent, trusting, sincere. I hugged her close, touched by the fact that she in her young heart knew what life is all about.
Tragic, isn't it, that we adults go through our daily life seeking what this world has to offer? We, like Solomon, undertake great projects, build beautiful houses, deny ourselves nothing our eyes desire, and refuse our hearts no pleasure. (Ecc.2:10). We live as if "this is all there is." Our motto often becomes, "it's all about me, my goals, my dreams, my family."
The Word, however, tells a different story. The purpose and meaning of this life is to prepare for eternity, and this life offers so little time. "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4:14) Each day is a precious gift from our Lord. Each day he places in our paths opportunities to store up treasures in heaven. How sad to think of this life ending, a new life in heaven beginning with no treasures to lay at our Savior's feet.
The mission field is wide open. There is someone at the grocery store who needs a sincere smile. There is a child who needs a hug. There is a family whose children have no coats for the winter. There is a lost soul waiting for the good news to be shared. There are prayers needing to be uttered. Oh, the mission field is wide open, but so often we let that opportunity pass in front of our eyes and we never see.
During my 30 year career in nursing, I have been in the midst of death hundreds of times. I have held the hand of the dying and seen the eyes of the lifeless. Though we may not fully understand it, death is real. It is appointed to man. This short life will end. We simply must make our life meaningful, laying up tresures in heaven. Our Savior died that we may live, forever, eternally. Isn't that an awesome gift ? Brothers and sisters, this is not all there is!
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