"On Death"

death:  cessation of life and all associated processes

No longer with us; passed over, passed away, or simply, passed; on to a better place; free at last.  There are a variety of terms used to express death, many of them to soften the starkness of that word, of that experience.

There has been a death in our family.  Our stepmother has died.  At the age of 98, she was the last of our parent's generation.  The "torch" has been passed on to my two brothers and me.  We are now the elders of the Shanks' family. 

Death fascinates and intrigues me.  It always has--a curiosity, not a morbidity.  The universal equalizer, not a single person on the planet is exempt.  We come into this world with nothing; we leave with nothing.

How is it that from one breath, one heartbeat to the next the very being, the essence of a person is removed, and all that is left is the house, the body?  While some may feel they can bring about their own death, they are only dealing with the physical.   No man is able to remove their own person.

I have no fear of death and, at this point in time, there is no fear of the process of dying either.  Neither do I have any pretty pictures of life after death.  One would think I would, given the many near-death experiences I've read about and my religious upbringing.  

What I do know is this:  The One who created me and delivered me into this world is going to usher me out.  My finite mind cannot begin to grasp what is next.  I know of His presence there and nothing more.    

Where there is birth there is also death, and it is my belief that physical death is not an end, but a beginning, the beginning of the rest of time, of life with God or without Him.  

My family and I will gather at a funeral service tomorrow.  The thought is always present at these occasions of  "Who's next?"  Only God knows.

This I do know:  Given the universal experience of death, what is truly important is that of being prepared to meet Him.  May He do that for each one of you.    


"Prepare to meet thy God."

"Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God."  

"Oh, death, where is your victory?  Oh, grave, where is your sting?"  

       










    

"On Being Spiritually Alive"

spiritual:  of or pertaining to the spirit or soul; not material

physical:  having to do with the body, the material world

religious:  concerning religions; a system of faith and worship 

The look on her face was one of petrified fear, a frozen expression of sheer terror, that of the proverbial deer "caught in the headlights."  As I slammed on the brakes I have no doubt my own face was a mirror of hers.  An older woman on a bicycle, her balance affected, she had stopped immediately in front of my truck and dismounted.  Giving me one of those "if looks could kill" glares, she then got back on and rode on down the sidewalk, seething with anger. I saw her mouth an expletive, and I couldn't say I blamed her.

Accessing the street via an alley, vision had been blocked by a large climbing rose. Fortunately for the both of us I was at a virtual crawl as I moved forward onto the street. She hadn't seen me, and I hadn't seen her until we were on top of one another.  Even at my very slow rate of speed I was a split second away from knocking her down and, as she was wearing no helmet, it had the potential of being a calamitous situation. 

Pulling out onto the street I drove down a block and turned onto a side street, waiting for her to ride by.  As i rolled down my window, I shouted "I am soooo sorry."  The anger evaporated, and the two of us agreed "It's all good."

Heading on to my next job my being was filled with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for once again being a part of my everyday life.

There is physical.  And then there is spiritual.

We all know what it means to be physically alive.  What does it mean to be spiritually alive? And what difference does it make?  Does it matter?

Wearing certain kinds of clothing, covering one's head or entire body; stopping to pray 5 times a day; completing classes of doctrine; living a monastic life of celibacy; fasting; setting aside days of the week, month, or year as special holidays; eating or not eating specific foods; following rules--these are religion. One can be very religious and be spiritually dead.

We were created spiritual beings, with the purpose of having a friendship with our Creator. To be spiritually alive means one's spirit has been quickened, brought to life, and a connection is made with Him.  

As with the physical, mankind is incapable of making life happen.  Becoming spiritually alive is as simple as opening up one's innermost self and inviting God in.  He is life, He is light, and He is a gentleman in that He never goes where He isn't invited.

A spiritual life is not one of accomplishment, to be flaunted and waved around like a banner. It is a gift.

Living life with God is not idyllic, filled with air, fairy tales of the hereafter, balloons, and lullabies.  For me, that perception fell apart with the statement "God does not keep you from hard times.  He does walk you through them."  

And that is just one reason being spiritually alive makes a difference.  It matters.  

Physical is temporary; spiritual is eternal.  And that is another reason.

Living life with God, One who knows me, who loves me, who has my best interest at heart --or living it on my own, alone.  That is the most important reason of all.



    
"If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body." 
                   I Corinthians 15:44