The Forgotten Reality of Death
In today’s world, death has become a distant thought, a taboo topic that we avoid discussing in polite company. But the truth is, death is an inevitable part of life, a fundamental human experience that unites us all. Despite the remarkable advancements in modern medicine, death remains a certainty, yet we’ve become adept at pushing it to the back of our minds.
A Life of Detachment
We’ve become so detached from death that we rarely think about it, let alone discuss it openly. We’ve sanitized the process of dying, confining it to medical facilities where professionals manage the final moments of life. This detachment has a profound impact on our lives, causing us to live as if death isn’t our problem. But the reality is, death’s shadow looms large over us, influencing our insecurities, dissatisfaction, and pain.
The Biblical Perspective
The Bible, however, presents a starkly different perspective. Death is a recurring theme throughout its pages, with biblical authors emphasizing the importance of acknowledging mortality in order to live a life of wisdom. Psalm 90, for instance, implores God to “teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12). This prayer is a poignant reminder of our limitations and the vast difference between God’s eternity and our fleeting lives.
Humility and Gladness
The psalmist’s prayer for remembrance of death is closely tied to a prayer for gladness. By acknowledging our mortality, we’re able to live with humility, recognizing our desperate need for God’s love and our unworthiness of it. This perspective enables us to live with genuine, realistic gladness, unencumbered by prideful self-deception.
Living with Purpose
In a world that shuns the topic of death, it’s essential to reclaim a biblical understanding of mortality. By doing so, we can live with purpose, recognizing that our time on earth is limited and precious. As we confront the reality of death, we’ll be compelled to make the most of our lives, seeking to live in the gladness of God’s love.
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