WHAT IS THIS? LEARNING FROM DEATH AND ITS POWER!

by
EVANGELIST BEE

The casket was being wheeled to the final resting place as I heard the song again in my native tongue –

‘A o pade leti odo, odo didan odo didan na, pelu awon mimo leba odo ...” 

This is a song that is very common in funeral services in my native community. I later got the English version from a covenant friend as " Shall We Gather at the River ". It talks about the hope of meeting at the other side of death. When people sing it, very few eyes remain dry! Sing it in any other context and everyone will become sober instantly. A lot of people  want to go to Heaven but no one wants to die. I attended  the  burial of a friend’s Dad and I learnt some very salient lessons which I would like to share. They nudge me. The exhort me. They encourage me. Burials make you see through yourself. They make you ask questions no one else can ask you and get same answers. The things I was reminded at the burial are stated  below:

1.  PUT THE END IN MIND

I learnt a long time ago from Steven Covey Original classic,“ 7 principles of highly Effective People” that the best way to set your goals is to put your end in mind. What would you want people to say at your funeral. I have taught it in many of my goal setting  classes to singles and adults. If you want to set goals that will drive you  for a long time, go to a funeral service with a  pen and paper and ask – “ if I was the one  in the Casket, who will people say that I am? what will people say that I did? For who will they say I did all I did? “ Whatever answers that comes from the  depth of your heart should form the fundamentals of your aspirations and goals !Understanding the end makes the present worth the  while.

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

2. YOU WILL LEAVE ! YOU WONT BE HERE FOREVER!

Looks simple but deep. In the last one year I have been to two different hotels – one in Nairobi, Kenya and the other in San Antonio, Texas downtown that are over 80 year old. On the walls of this hotels were  young men and women and babies  smiling and excited. The San Antonio one  even offers free weekend for couples celebrating 50-year wedding anniversaries who had their honeymoon with them. I always spend time savoring the numerous old time pictures on their walls until it dawned me that when the people in most of these pictures were in their prime when my grandfathers were toddlers at best! Where are they now–gone! Gone! Plain gone. You will leave sometimes-Whether by disease, cancer, peaceful sleep or “ handiwork of witches” ( everything now has a diabolical causes including  forgetting car keys in the car)The stage will shift. Act Seven Scene 3 will pass! Life is designed to pass. You will leave sometimes and I will leave too.

Php 1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

3. YOU DON’T HAVE THE FINAL SAY  ABOUT WHEN YOU WILL LEAVE

 I respect Praying and Fasting – They work! They help! They move the hands of God but it does not fix departure dates. No mortal has the final say as to when and how he or she will leave. For Christians, whether by air or by grave – there is no difference from Heaven’s perspective. Why are we so focused on when?  Jesus left at 33 but He dropped something before He left that  lasted Centuries. John the Baptist died in His prime! Missionaries who brought the gospel to Africa died in droves  but their blood brought more and more people! Face the truth – 100% pass in your annual medicals is no guaranty or else Insurance companies will not have to pay a dime  for deaths. You don’t have a final say ! That’s the truth – Live with it!

Luk 12:19-20  Then I will say to myself, Lucky man! You have all the good things you need for many years. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself !' But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night you will have to give up your life; then who will get all these things you have kept for yourself ?  "

4.  HOW AM I FARING?

Burials are also  reality check forums to examine yourself. Once I get the pamphlets, I quickly rush to  the biographical and life history sections. I ask questions like, what did he do when he was 20years? How old was He when He got His first degree? Where was He at 40 years–the year that wake people to know that they have passed the halftime! Haaa – life can be so transient and ephemeral.! As I gather these data, I ask hard questions about my own timelines. Where am I ? I also compare these timelines to my mentors’ timelines. A lot of people are heaven focused and earthly useless. Nothing humbles more than this. Even if the check I do gives thumbs up, I also get a quick reality check that I will not be this “fit and fiddle” forever. The system will wind slowly and sometimes it might too late to do anything about anything! Buddy – where are  you?

Dan 5:27  weight, you have been weighed on the scales and found to be too light;

5.  DEAD PEOPLE ATTRACTS MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE NEAR THE GRAVE

A basic fact I  observed at least in African burials of adults is that you see a lot of grey hairs. Its expected–one of them just left. This is another reality check. No matter what we do – the grey hair will show. The first time I saw a strand of grey hair in my moustache –I began rebuking the spirit and pulled it out but the next month the seed I sowed brought six freshly brewed fine grey strands. I let go! The mammary glands will sag- give it time despite the cosmetic procedures. That’s why I admonish Singles to preserve theirs for  the right owner. I recommend bukyville write up on  this at -www.bukville.com/2010/09/01/no-more-cleavage-in-the-house-of-god

It was a balanced reading for me from vintage Buky. The knees will go weary. Medicine can only slow age  but it wont stop it. Why don’t we rather prepare for it? Plan – recheck retirement plans. Am I  maximizing the strength I have now that I can do 3-5miles on the threadmill at a go? The wrinkles will come and at some point even the cosmetic surgeon will refuse to do more procedures – Remember Micheal Jackson’s botched procedures. Attend burials of adults once in a while and as you scan the old faces of the aged present and their slow response – remember like a friend sent to me in a mail recently – “Thanks My Mum is fine. Age is catching up on (her) or will I say has caught up on her. Infact, she makes me think of my old age so much...if Jesus tarries.” This burials make people who still have brains to think.

Deu 32:28-29  For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

6.  THE CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING IS NOW

Thank God for this fact of life – The chance is now. It never late – never late. I was encouraged recently when I finished a wonderful book titled, “Younger Next Year: A Guide to Living Like 50 Until You're 80 and Beyond by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge”. Even though I was  not in the age bracket they recommended it for – It was awesome for me. It confirmed based on data that at whatever age people wake up to the reality of exercises, moderate diet and active life, they can slow down the rot in the descent years and improve their quality of life – it never said they will not die  but they will make the best of now till the expiry date.

We still have the chance now  to

EXPOSE – secret sins and get help.

RENOUNCE- any association that  does not help us to get closer to God.

CHANGE – habits that are destroying any form of decency in our lives.

REPENT – and make peace with God  before its late.

FORGIVE- and move on no matter how hurt we are.

RENEW- our commitments because there is Hope

Eph 5:16-17  Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days. Don't be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.

7.  THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH – IT NOT AN END – IT’S A GATEWAY

Its too obvious. We are more than animals. There are so many things you cannot explain around us. Very deep things. How do you explain visions, dreams, impartation that end up coming  to pass exactly spoken! There is life after here.

Heb 9:27  Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God.

I am halfway through the  book of the CNN Chief Medical correspondent - Sanjay Gupta’s CHEATING DEATH – The Doctors and Medical miracles that Are saving Lives Against All Odds. Its making a good reading. I saw advances in Medicine extended life but they are based on conditions that the “almost dying” patient has this procedure at a certain time frame after the medical setback or accident. I believe it still shows that the extension happens  because the appointed time  has not come.  Like I said earlier, none of us have the final say! None!

Joh 14:6  Jesus answered him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.

Ask Jesus  to lead you to him so you do not fear Death again.

As I left this burial of  this 74 year old man, I heard the  still small voice – Are you  ready? When you leave – will it be  a good bye or good night – to see on the other side.

Mat 11:15  He that hath ears to hear,let him hear.

EVANGELIST BEE

No. 111 – 1^ST OCTOBER 2010

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