We have to go up to PJ atlate notice this weekbecause my Mama washospitalised. She is goingthrough "late stagedementia". She startedhaving early signs ofdementia about 6 yearsnow. She is 93 years oldnow and has been stayingin a nursing home in PJ forthree years now. Thefamily has been indiscussion and we have decided to move her to palliative care, where the focus is to try to make her as comfortable as possible as she moves back to the nursing home today. We are grateful for the doctors who have been guiding, including Jennifer of course.
We know she is in the Lord's good hands and the day will come when He will call her home. Indeed, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints..." (Psalms 116:15). A Christian is always being prepared for eternal glory. According to Peter, “the God of all grace” has called us to “eternal glory in Christ,” where he will “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish” us (1 Pet. 5:10). Eternal glory is the glory for which the sufferings of this world prepare us. Apart from the hope of being in a wonderful place, it is also about inheriting a renewed and far superior existence. "For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2 Cor 5:1)
2 Cor 5:1-10 contains a wonderful teaching which can guide our understanding of death and the afterlife. Using my mama as an example she is being prepared by God for transition to an eternal existence, with the initial work of the Spirit as a guarantee of what is to come (v5). She indeed groans and is burdened by decaying body. She longs to out on her heavenly dwelling. She longs not so much to be unclothed (naked) but to be further clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life (v4).
We as observers can be of good courage (i.e stay encouraged). For death means that we can be at home with the Lord (v8). It is this strong hope which gives meaning and strength to our lives. As we make it our aim to please Him (v9) - in this life or the next - this aim shapes and directs the quality of our lives. We go through suffering with a different perspective. In our struggle with our sinful tendencies, we strive by His grace to live lives that are pleasing to Him or one which glorifies His name. We are mindful that our lives will be judged and measured. How we live do matter and have eternal echoes.
We see things of this world as passing, no matter how huge they may loom in our view. Like flowers (i.e. tulips in the cover photo!), no matter how beautiful, remember that they are only passing.
Having a biblical view will indeed shape the way we approach life and death.
Comentários