Life is so interesting. I believe no one can fully conceptualize life in its true essence, or in its fullness. It’s so easy to think about all the beauty and wonders of life, yet no one likes to think about death. Even though we all know everything born on this earth will eventually die. Essentially you and I were born to die. Allow that thought to simmer in your spirit.
As a Christian, I believe our thoughts about death (and beliefs of an afterlife) is what truly allows us to become openminded enough to have an eternal perspective of life. The Bible says life is like a vapor… it comes and it goes.
Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air].
Bible – James 4:14 AMP
I tend to think of life as being circular.
I remember as a teenager watching a animation film called The Lion King. There was a beautiful song in the movie, written by pianist Elton John, called The Circle of Life. My profound love for nature along with my keen interest in science causes my mind to drift into endless thoughts regarding my existence, my purpose, and how my life is interconnected and interdependent upon other people, animals, microorganisms and a multitude of things which are also living their purpose on this earth.
Cyclical processes are also essential for the formation of living systems. All matter arises from a medium and returns back into a medium. All matter becomes and perishes, arises from and returns. It is an eternal essential life process. All matter exists in ongoing life cycles. Death is merely a transformation of matter. Nothing escapes. All matter remains in the circularity of life.
Article Extract -‘The Circularity of Life: An Essential Shift for Sustainability’ by Jane Cull
Do you know 99% of our body is made up of four types of atoms: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen. To me, it is mindboggling to think of scientists actually studying the atomic structure of organisms and researching the basic foundations of life. I recently watched a NOVA documentary on how NASA (in partnership with our government and other entities) spent $10 billion to build the James Webb Space Telescope, which is now the world’s largest and most powerful science telescope in space (more powerful than the Hubble telescope).
I think of death as a transition to a new life in Heaven or Hell.
I know people don’t like to talk about faith or the Bible. My faith is important to me. So, I read the Bible. I talk about it often, and I try my best to understand it.
Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.
Bible – John 5:28-29 NLT
Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well.
For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
Bible – Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 NLT
My first cousin recently passed away. I cried. I still mourn along with my family. I believe his spirit transitioned to a new life in Heaven. I loved him. He died unexpectedly. Although I often think of my memories when we were together especially when I see old pictures, I will say I do have a greater understanding of why people have life insurance.
Dealing with the pain of death.
I believe I deal with pain pretty well. As I rarely allow my emotions to overwhelm me when I feel pain or grief. As a young boy around 12 years old, I remember my paternal grandmother passing away. Then a little over a year later, her husband, my paternal grandfather passed away. They were my best friends at the time.
During high school I also had pets that died. I had 2 pet guinea pigs (Fuzz #1 and Fuzz #2 🙂 – plus guinea pigs only live around 2 years). During that time I also had a childhood friend who was shot and killed. I believe having those experiences early in life shaped how I perceive death and deal with it emotionally.
Years ago, celebrity actor Keanu Reeves was being interviewed by Steven Colbert on nighttime television show. Steven went on to ask the actor what he thought happens when we die. After taking a moment to consider the question, Reeves simply replied, “I know that the ones who love us will miss us.”
