We often take for granted we’ll be greeted every morning by birds and light streaming into our room. But how sure are we that we’ll wake up tomorrow?
John had great plans for his retirement. Having made his pile in the Malaysian real estate business, he dreamed of spending his twilight years with his wife in his own retirement cottage in the Cotswolds — "the most English and the least spoiled of all our countrysides", as J.B. Priestley puts it.
John had great plans for his retirement. Having made his pile in the Malaysian real estate business, he dreamed of spending his twilight years with his wife in his own retirement cottage in the Cotswolds — "the most English and the least spoiled of all our countrysides", as J.B. Priestley puts it.
Popular
with both the English themselves and international visitors from all over the
world, the area is well known for gentle hillsides (‘wolds’), outstanding
countryside with river valleys, water meadows and beech woods, sleepy ancient
limestone villages, historic market towns and for being so ‘typically English’
where time has stood still for over 300 years. Outdoor activity pursuits
include walking, cycling, fishing, golfing, garden visits, horse riding,
camping and caravanning.
(SOURCE: http://www.cotswolds.info/)
But before he
could fulfill his dreams, he was stricken with lung cancer and passed away in less
than six months. So much for retirement dreams dashed into pieces.
We’re never
really in control of our lives. We
often take for granted we’ll be greeted every morning by birds and light
streaming into our room. But how sure are we that we’ll wake up tomorrow?
“Why, you
do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist
that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).
We get jolted from our
complacency when a close friend or relative dies suddenly. We’re reminded of
our mortality and a chilling realisation sets in.
One day, we will be lowered in a casket into
the ground or cremated. Our relatives and friends will then depart for a meal
or some refreshments. Life goes on for our family members but we will no longer
know what happens to them on earth.
Though no one fancies being reminded about
death, we cannot run away it. So it’s better to be realistic and consider our
end.
Few can confidently
proclaim like the apostle Paul: “The time of my death is near. I have fought
the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. Now
heavenly rewards await me” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
Though we’ll never be
able to match a spiritual giant like Paul, we should still be proactive — plan and live out our lives so that it will be
glorifying to God.
For it is only when we learn how to face death
squarely that we’re able to live a fulfilling and productive life.
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Long
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many years are allotted to us, we should learn to live intentionally and
purposefully.
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