Good To Remember!

Yesterday we attended the funeral, celebrating the life of one of my wife’s uncles. Next week we will be attending the celebration of the life of one of my cousins who also recently died. Today many are remembering the four airlines which were taken over by terrorists September 11, 2001, crashing two into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, one into the Pentagon, and one which ended up crashing in Pennsylvania. Today I received an e-mail titled, “Do You Remember?”, which simply listed the names of those who lost their lives that day. In one sense it is hard to believe that was already three years ago, while in another sense it seems like only yesterday. For some it changed their lives forever as they tragically lost loved ones. Some who dealt with the rescue, recovery, and cleanup are still undergoing therapy for the trauma it created. And others are still receiving treatments for dust inhaled.

Whether sudden or expected, when loved ones depart this realm there is a void that is left which only memories can try to fill. Because God has given us the capacity to love deeply, that seems to intensify the pain of the loss we feel when we bid family and friends a final farewell. However, as hard as it hurts, it is still good to be reminded of our MORTALITY. This life is not all there is to our existence. We need to live lives which leave a wake of encouragement, godly influence, and good memories behind us while at the same time being prepared for the eternity God has in store.

Solomon exhorted…
“It is BETTER TO GO TO THE HOUSE OF MOURNING THAN TO GO TO THE HOUSE OF FEASTING, for this is the end of all mankind, and THE LIVING WILL LAY IT TO HEART.” ( Ecclesiastes 7:2 ESV)

The New Living Translation reads as follows: “ It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT IT WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME.” [NLT, 1997, Tyndale House, Wheaton, Ill.]

I’m sure we all enjoy parties more than we do funerals, but it is the reminder we receive regarding MORTALITY that often reminds us of the importance of living good lives and cherishing the relationships God has given us. At parties we tend to have a feeling we have many good days (or years) ahead. The truth is, not one of us really knows how many there may be left. It is at funerals, not parties, where we learn this important reality of life here. But in the face of our MORTALITY we press on with a focus on the Eternal One Who has “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” ( 2 Timothy 1:10 ESV) May our hope for eternity continue to be in Him.

Have a great day REMEMBERING LIFE’S IMPORTANT LESSONS!
Carl

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