Devotionals

---

Being tearful because a loved one has died is a natural reaction for most people. Even Jesus wept when he heard his friend Lazarus had died, although He knew He had every intention of resurrecting him (John 11:35).
Experiencing loss through death is painful and traumatising, and the weight of this can lead to some people needing therapeutic counselling to cope with their loss. Others get so trapped in grief that their ruling mind becomes dysfunctional and they become isolated from their own existence.

True Christians experience death with a similar reaction by becoming tearful. However, we live in hope that there is life after death, and it's everlasting Romans 6:23. We speak and sing to encourage the idea that there is life beyond the grave. Heaven's open door, the pearly gates, Streets paved with gold. We call the place Heaven, our home.

I have vivid memories of the music my father played every Sunday morning as we made ready for church. One songwriter and recording artist I will never forget was Jim Reeves, and one particular song I remember was titled This World Is Not My Home. This song secretly confused me because it emphasised the point that we were "just passing through", referring to the idea that earth is not our home. Then it continued with " Treasures are laid up in Heaven somewhere beyond the blue [sky]. I understood these lyrics to mean death was something to look forward to. I couldn't understand the sorrow that was expressed when someone died, knowing the expectation of a better place in Heaven after death.

The Bible gives evidence of this promised hope in Hebrews 11:13-16, where it speaks of men who lived by Faith and also emphasised the idea of just passing through.

These all died in Faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Hebrews 11:13).

Jesus Christ gave the said promise to his disciples before He ascended to Heaven. (John 14:2-3) "... I am going to prepare a place for you ......that where I am going you also may be".

So why do we cry? Speaking from experience, it's because memories seldom die. If the person had an influence on your life, you will have a reaction to their death. Often, the good memories prevail over any bad experiences, as those experiences become faded memories.
I remember when my mother died; I did not cry for her; I had no memories of her. She left us with our dad and never returned. (My older sister and I.) At a young age, I was only five years old; I didn't forget that and, in some way, did not forgive her, but knowing she was dying softened my heart, and I thought if I had only spent more time getting to know her. What made me become tearful with knowledge of her imminent death was imagining my dad in her place.

Today I view death as it is: a celebration rather than a commiseration; a chance to celebrate a life with mutual friends and family. I see myself as one being blessed by the presence of those who have passed. I have a better understanding and spiritual appreciation of death. James Allen, in his book 'As a Man Thinketh', puts it this way, "We are the offspring of a deathless soul". There is no death, just a transition from this life to the next. When I close my eyes, I see my loved ones asleep, experiencing an 'Eternal rest' until the resurrection; the flesh will decay, but souls live on, and the spirit is given back to the One Almighty God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE AS A MEMBER OR VISITOR