"How Do You View Death"

When we are young a lot of us are afraid of something. Usually kids are afraid when they go to sleep of something being under the bed or hiding in the closet. Irrational fears are just that “Irrational”. A lot of us are afraid of the economy and just remembering 9/11 causes us to think of terrorism.

A lot of us today have allowed one or more things to paralyze our lives. We may not show it to the outside world but inside we are turning to jelly with fear. I remember breaking my nose really bad. My friends told me “Quit worrying what’s the worst that could happen?” I could DIE!!!!! I could be put under and never wake up, the building could collapse, the surgeon could do something stupid, a plane could crash into the building or he gives me the wrong anesthesia. That’s the worst that could happen; now I feel worse than before.

Some of you live under a constant fear of losing a job, a spouse or your children. Jesus knows we love our family so why does He say this next verse?

Matthew 10:37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me…”

This statement may seem cold hearted until we break this verse down. God created our parents, our children and he created you and me. When we start to love the created more than the creator we will always have fears and problems in our life. ALWAYS!! God is saying this because God desires our attention and our respect. But He is also saying this so we don’t fret. Since God loves your family more than you, yes more than you then don’t worry.

I am reading a book that has changed a lot of the ways I think about things of God. One statement really got me.

“Your life is free to be radical when you see death as your reward.” The book “Radical” by David Platt.

That’s it isn’t it? That is why we worry. Because we don’t see death as our reward, we instead see death as our punishment. You see, we try to make this world heaven and it will never work. We try to have as many comforts as possible. We try to play politics all the time so we can put in place protection for us and our family. If we can get all these things in place then we will be secure. No, No. No. There is NOTHING in this life that is secure except Jesus and death of our body. Everything else will be tossed to and fro like the waves in the ocean. When we can start to believe that this world will soon pass away then we are free to grab onto OUR REAL HOME. Why settle for second best. Why worry of trying to hold onto things that don’t matter? That is where worry and fear come in.

Jim Elliott the missionary who was killed by the Auca tribe said this:

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Today you have a choice. Will you try to hold onto things that you think are secure but are not? Or will you look to your future home as your reward. But to get to your future home you have to experience death in your outward shell. Don’t be afraid of that if you are saved. God will be with you every step of the way until you see Him face to face. When we want to be with Jesus more than anything in this world then and only then will we be free to live a radical and JOYFUL life. When you look forward to going to your real home then NOTHING ever again can steal your joy, NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great day.

Brad