“When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”
John 14:20 NLT
In facing our mortality, we can address the immediate anxieties our death presents us with. Of all people, we are those who should anticipate dying well. Yet, if death surprises us, as it may, or we fail to give it the attention it deserves, it can come as a shock and be shocking in equal measure. Jesus, although we see his deep humanity in the garden of Gethsemane, knows that he is safe with God. He declares as much to his disciples. The good news is we can be equally assured that in death, as in life, we are in God and God is in us.
Katey and I had a long time to consider her death. Even then it was a shock when it occurred. Yet, for both of us that shock was the reality of the moment, not the reality of death. This was an event we prayed and planned for. Words had been kindly and gently exchanged and we both intended to make this death a point of glorious departure. Katey was magnificent as she quietly stepped off this stage and into the space Jesus had prepared for her ahead of time. The only learning was that having held a wonderful celebratory, yet heart-breaking, funeral, the cremation felt hurried, corporate and simply utilitarian. How I wish I had walked that through with Katey ahead of time.
The learning was good and recently Jayne and I took ourselves off to visit a natural burial site. As we wandered around, we made the decision that this was where our mortal remains would be laid to rest. Surrounded by God’s glorious creation, what better place to release our discarded bodies back to the dust from which they were created. There is no more magnificent cathedral than God’s handiwork expressed through nature. I was at peace and could make all the preparations necessary so that my daughter will not have to rush around making funeral arrangements. She can simply turn up with family and friends and contemplate a life lived and now transferred to a different address within an eternal realm.
QUESTION
What should Christians think about death and dying?
PRAYER
Lord of the living, thank you for the assurance of your eternal promises.