Daily Power #238

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:17)

When I officiated my first funeral, I came to the part at the end of the graveside service. Pastors always say, “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” So I uttered the famous lines. Forgetting what came next, I improvised. Thinking it would be funny, I said, “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, sure hope this coffin doesn’t rust.”

I thought it was funny. No one else did. Maybe it’s because death is no laughing matter. But our culture certainly seems fascinated with life after death, details about heaven, and what happens after our bodies here on earth expire. In so many movies, TV shows, and books, favorite characters frequently and miraculously seem to come back from the dead. In soap operas it became such a clichéd device that viewers knew that any character who died would likely return a few months down the road.

Sometimes I worry that these depictions of death make it seem temporary, reversible, or trivial. Because the reality remains that our time here on earth is limited. Our bodies will eventually die. However, if we’ve trusted Christ as our Savior, then we will have eternal life with him and our heavenly Father. While we don’t know exactly what this will be like, we’re told there will be no more tears, no more sorrow, no more worries.

Whether you live to be one hundred, or you’re called home sooner, you can rest in the security of knowing where and how you’ll spend eternity. Remember: Heaven is your home, now and forever. Earth is not your home. Today make the most of the time the Lord has given you.

Power Lift

Dear God, help me make my time here on earth count for you and your kingdom. I’m so grateful for my purpose and for the promise of eternal life afterward.