By David ReayFriday 10 Jan 2014LifeWords DevotionalsFaithReading Time: 0 minutes
Transcript:
Read 2 Timothy 4:6-8
As for me,I feel that the last drops of my life are being poured out for God. The glorious fight that God gave me I have fought. The course that I was set I have finished,and I have kept the faith. The future for me holds the crown of righteousness which God,the true judge,will give to those who have loved what they have seen of him. (JBP)
It has been said that there are two certainties in life: death and taxes. Given the cleverness of assorted accountants and the complexities of our tax legislation,we may actually avoid taxes. But there is no escape when it comes to death. Paul,in this passage,writes of his preparedness for his own death. He knows it is coming and is ready for it.
From time to time I help people formulate their own funeral service. Some scoff at this,suggesting it is morbid. It is no such thing. It is realistic. It is also an expression of love as the burden is taken off relatives at the time of death. It is in no way morbid to plan for one’s death: it will happen one day. Of course we don’t get preoccupied with such plans,but arranging for something that will definitely happen is wisdom rather than folly.
But arranging a funeral is a secondary matter when it comes to being ready to die. Like Paul,we are to be sure our trust is in what God has done for us through Jesus. We trust his perfection not our own striving. We reflect on our own life of imperfect obedience to God. We rest in his acceptance of us by virtue of his mercy and our helpless reliance on it.
We live as people who are prepared to die and die as people who are prepared to live.
Blessings
David Reay