Grim Reaper or Entrance into Paradise?

Sunday, Day 228:  This morning’s assembly was very emotional, but comforting.  Layne had written his lesson title on the board, so we knew he was going to be speaking about death…and our feelings about it.  So most of the song leaders lead songs about heaven and being ready to leave the sorrows and pain of this life.  Of course, Mary was much on my mind and in my heart, so there were quite a few tears shed.  She is fighting that battle right now and it can go either way.  I know that she is ready, though.  My selfishness doesn’t want to lose her, but my heart longs for her suffering to be over and for her to be at peace; which is basically what the lesson was about.  As Christians we shouldn’t fear or dread death, but we should, like the apostle Paul, see it as gain.  I think we, as a society, have placed way too much importance on trying to live as long as we can…and trying to keep our loved one “alive” as long as possible.  We are all appointed to die, none of us can escape (unless Jesus comes back during our lifetime).   Our days are numbered.  Why should we dread being one step closer to being with our Lord?  So today I am thankful that we don’t have to fear death…that we can look forward to something better.  I hope and pray that I can face that time with grace and peace.

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.