All things pass away. God’s word does not pass away. Love does not pass away.
There has been a tradition of reflecting on death in the Christian community. This can be morbid; it can also be life-giving.
We can put things off that need to be done.
Fear and a certain laziness can be responsible for this happening.
There are always consequences for our actions. We can be fearful of change. We can be fearful of what others will think about us. There can be fear of losing a certain image that we project, or that we see ourselves to be.
It also takes work to change. There can be a certain inertia, laziness, a reluctance to effect change in our lives.
We sometimes live as if the present life will continue for ever.
One day I will die, we will all died.
This sobering thought can help put things in perspective.
Do I need to keep putting things off?
What relationship needs healing in my life?
That decision I need to take.
That restoration of justice that I need to do.
Choosing my priorities.
What is most important in my life?
What bad habit do I need to let go of?
What sin do I need to repent from?
What am I sitting on the fence about?
Death is a transition into resurrection, the fullness of life.
I become the person that I am meant to be by the choices that I make.
Just like a baby being formed in the womb and then is born into a fuller life, I need to be nourished so as to be born into eternal life.
During retreats at Sevenhills in South Australia, I have found the historic cemetery there very helpful in my reflections. Sitting prayerfully there in the quiet, tends to put things in perspective.
As this year finishes we embrace life by letting go of excess baggage with the freedom of being born again, experiencing the joy of the Holy Spirit.
