Stepping Over
by Terry Wane Benton
In the aging process, Ecclesiastes 12 describes the decline toward death, and after various abilities in health are phased out, then “desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets” (Ecclesiastes 12:5).
Some people die unexpectedly, but the aging know that they are phasing out. They often reach a point where they have no more desire to live in this body in this world. The desire to continue here fails to keep a firm grip on living.
The aged Hobbit said, “I think I am quite ready for another adventure!” Then his ship moves out over the sea and into the sunset. We have various ways of imagining the experience of death, what it will be like, and what we will experience on the other side of death.
For Christians, here are some pleasant and helpful things to remember. Get your heart ready for this next adventure. Be intimately involved with letting the peace of God rule in your heart (Colossians 3:15), and draw near to God each day, building your faith and confidence in the Lord (Acts 20:32).
If your eyesight is failing, listen to spiritual songs and Bible readings. Be sure to meditate on Christ's glory and treasure your meditation and prayer time. These are precious moments that prepare you to face death with as much confidence as possible.
Paul thought of death as “gain” and “far better” (Philippians 1:21-23). With the Lord as your Shepherd who promises to “be with you always” you can “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” and “fear no evil.” Why? “For You are with me!” (Psalms 23).
At a certain point, we fear being a burden to others and feel that we are so limited in strength and ability that the desire for further mere existence is worse than our fear of the unknown about dying. We loosen the grip on remaining in the body and get ready like the baby birds’ first try at flying to fly away into that unseen realm.
Released from an aching body we experience relief and release of fear as we realize the comfort of being in a bodiless state in paradise. Think paradise, and “far better.” Think of coming glory that makes the sufferings of this present time seem useless to compare (Romans 8:18). Think that the God who loved us so much as to die for us, will receive us in love, and will make our transition peaceful.
Now is the time to know Him as your loving Friend, your Father, your God who is for you (Romans 8:31). Know Him in these ways so that it is not like meeting a total stranger. It is like meeting He Whose mind and heart you have been getting familiar with for years. You are going to be in good Hands.
We need to remind ourselves of these things daily. The time is closer than ever before. The night is far spent, the day is at hand (Romans 13:12). “Now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed!” (Romans 12:11). Let us be wise with the remaining time. Soon we will be stepping over to something “far better” if we are wise stewards of what God has given us. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might!
