The subject of death has been a prominent topic in our house since Charlotte’s and Sophie’s terminal disease was diagnosed. Every day we have with them is a gift because we do not know if we will wake up the next day to find they are no longer with us. We have previously posted how we view death; it does not have to be a discouraging topic, but rather one of promise and purpose. Both our little girls are dying from Batten disease, and yet there is still peace, there is hope, and there is joy. God gives peace while we navigate this trial till its end, God gives hope that we will see them healed forever in Heaven, and God gives joy knowing that He is in control even now and nothing can thwart His master plan, coming victory, and eternal reign.
In the wake of recent events, the subject of death has been brought to the whole country’s attention. For a Christian, it is not death to die, but for an unbeliever, it is the end of all hope and happiness. For centuries, believers have been martyred for their faith by the world, hoping to silence them. Instead, this action only evokes more revival and Christian growth. God always has a plan in all things; He will always work all things together for good. He will even use bad circumstances for His will to be accomplished.
We need not fear death. Men may try to come and eliminate our earthly body, and while they may succeed, only the almighty God can eliminate both body and soul (Matthew 10:28). He breathed this entire world into being, and at the end of time, He will extinguish the breath of this world. Our only fear is being separated from God for an eternity–to be condemned forever in the fiery afterlife. As a Christian, we should never fear the end of our own life, no matter how far or near it may be. Rather, we should courageously share the reason for our hope, our joy, and our peace with others. To the world, we matter little; to God, we are His spokespeople and mouthpiece to save a dying world.
We personally believe God has given our family an opportunity through this trial to reach out and proclaim how, even in the face of death, God will orchestrate this for His unparalleled glory. God can use our greatest trial to become another’s biggest blessing. Do we ever stop and ponder if the current circumstance we are personally enduring will be the pivotal assistance in saving another’s soul? Even our response to small subjective tribulations can be the essential key to the redemption of lost souls. Ultimately, we must share that Jesus is the true source of redeeming our souls so we need not fear death.
1 Corinthians 15:55-58 says, “55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 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.”
Eternal life is our highest achievement and heavenly reward from God. We are alive in Christ and dead to sin (Romans 6). Our earthly body will die, but our soul is alive forever with the Lord. Death has no power over a believer. Death is not our final end; it is our greatest beginning. God is always good.