Goodbye, Ted!

Senator Edward Kennedy died this morning after a long year of dealing with the ravages of brain cancer. The articles that summed up his 77 years mentioned his great moments and his failures. He was a leading member of the US Senate, who was especially productive on behalf of the poor. In his youth, he had his share of forgettable episodes including getting kicked out of Harvard for cheating and leaving the scene of an accident in which a young woman died. He lived long enough to put those days behind him. Whether you liked his politics or not, you have to admit that since 1992, he had become one of America’s leaders who shaped the nation. Now, he gives account to the One whose judgment matters most.

Psalm 90 is blunt about the inevitability of our death - "’ Return to dust!’ For You, (Lord) a thousand years are as yesterday! They are like a few hours! You sweep people away like dreams that disappear or like grass that springs up in the morning." (Psalm 90:3-5, NLT) Whether we are 20 or 70, there is Scriptural precedent for pondering one's dying day! Psalm 90:12 says "... teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom." (NKJV) Keeping an eye on the calendar, watching the days as they move from future, to present, to past, is a means of becoming wise. Life moves by at the same pace for us all, day by fleeting day, as the Bible says- 'like grass that springs up in the morning.' That fact should not frighten us for, in Christ, we have assurance of life beyond this terrestrial plane. However, brevity should motivate us! We are compelled to make this day matter.

Don't be one of those foolish people who thinks he can outrun death. Without being morbid, thank God for this day and let the reminders from your aching joints cause you to live well in this world and live prepared for your entrance into eternal life. Peter urges us as Believers to set our hope fully on Christ Jesus as Savior, and then to apply ourselves to godliness. He says that living well helps us to die well! "Work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away. And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:10-12, NLT) Before you make that choice today, think! It could be your last. If your heart stopped while you saying or doing whatever it is you’re considering, would you want that thing to be the last line in your eulogy? Get your life in order.

Let the grace of Christ remove the fear of death and take the love of Christ as your guide in all things, thus transforming the choices made today. There is no better advice than this: ‘Let no debt remains outstanding.' Say the things that need to be said. Pray the prayers that are waiting to be prayed. Do what must be done. In this, there is readiness for that moment of mystery when mortal puts on immortality.
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Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed,
He'll prepare for us a place.

Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.

Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we'll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open,
We shall tread the streets of gold.

When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory.

When We All Get To Heaven

Hewitt, Eliza E. / Wilson, Emily D.© Public Domain