In recent times, God has led me and my husband in experience and ministries related to life and death. Among the many things that happened, there were two moments that really touched our hearts.
First Moment
That afternoon we went to the hospital to pray for a grandmother. She is more than 90 years old. Her extremely thin body lay weak with her eyes closed. The doctor can’t do much to help her. Not only because the disease is very malignant and hasn’t been cured medically resolved, but also because her old body is unable to receive proper therapy and treatment for the disease. After praying for her, we sang a simple song that talked about the love of Jesus. We sing softly over and over again. We believe that even though her eyes are closed, even if in a coma, her inner man can certainly hear our voices even though her physical body seems to not respond. After a while, we saw tears flowing from the corner of her eye. Her eyes still remained closed and between conscious and not, but the flowing tears showed that her heart responded. We continued to sing and sing, until then the grandmother began to open her eyes and sing. At first her voice was soft and sometimes the pronunciation wasn’t clear, but while we continued to sing the simple song over and over again, the longer her voice was louder. We knew, at that time God was working touching her heart and giving new strength. Then we prayed once more, leading her to not be afraid and doubtful of surrendering to Jesus, guiding her to make a confession that Jesus is Lord and Savior. After being prayed for, she could sleep well and no longer be delirious about frightening things that were invisible as she had always seen the previous nights. We believe that God gave her peace that transcends all understanding, beyond fear about everything she would leave behind or she would face in life after death. The peace from God is a guarantee and an inward witness that she is safe in the Father’s hands. A few days later we heard the news that the grandmother had calmly returned to the Father’s house. Indeed, whatever we have been achieved in this life, ultimately the most important thing is the certainty of salvation in eternal life.
Second Moment
Near midnight a few days ago, we were shocked by the news. One friend who has served with us for almost 30 years has suddenly been called home by God. He was still around 55 years old. He was sitting and chatting with his family when suddenly he bowed and left forever. Many people could hardly believe because only two or three days earlier he had served with us at a big event. Our hearts were moved, as if God were waiting for him to finish his task until the event was finished and then called him home. What a sweet impression.
But … reality isn’t always like that right? In fact, there are people even God’s servants who are called home by God when they are actively working on God’s vision and mission. In the view of humans as if their task isn’t finished, but we are uncertain. God has His own judgment and that is perfect. Whatever it is, death is always unpredictable, incomprehensible. The measure isn’t t age, health, ministry, not even a person’s good or evil. What, why and how, only God knows.
ACCOMPLISHING TASKS
Indeed, each of us is waiting for the time to be called by God. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2 clearly says that there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die (Meaningful Life under the Heavens – click here). Every one of us has a period we don’t know when it will end. Each of us has a deadline that we don’t know when. God can call us anytime, anywhere, in any way. Now … as people waiting to be called by God, there are important questions that each of us must reflect on and answer it.
Are we ready whenever our lifespan runs out? Are we sure of our eternal destination in life after death? Have we received eternal salvation from God? Have we been living our lives according to God’s will? How much time do we use to do God’s work, and how much time do we waste in vain? What should we do while we wait for God to call us?? The preacher advises us:
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV)
The word “to do” comes from the Hebrew word “asah” which means accomplish that is “to finish something successfully or to achieve something”. So, God asks us not only to do it but to accomplish it and to achieve what is supposed to be achieved.
The word “your might” comes from the Hebrew word “koach” which means “ability” which is “the mental or physical power or skill needed to do something”. So, the word “your might” here is not doing on our own and carelessly, but works with the physical, mental, and certain skills needed to accomplish the task.
We weren’t created by accident. Conscious or not, we are created with a purpose. In our hands is being entrusted with a special mission, a life that doesn’t follow where the flow brings, but is in a plan to do God’s work for His Kingdom. Therefore don’t ignore things that seem to come to our lives naturally or even coincidentally, that is, all the forms that the preacher calls as working, planning, knowledge and wisdom. Whatever forms these things have in our lives, our task is to accomplish it. For this reason, God has provided the equipment we need, namely mental, physical, and skill. But mental readiness, physical strength, and skill aren’t things that fall from the sky. God gave it for free, yes that’s true because God is the source, but we also have to study, train, and develop it. This isn’t for the sake of our careers will increase so that our future will be better or that we be rewarded as smart people who are multi-talented, but to achieve and accomplish what is God’s purpose in our lives.
This life is a sure wait for God’s call to eternity. We must be ready whenever the time comes. Let us not be complacent with all the hustle and bustle of our busy life, but focus on what is God’s will in our lives. As long as we continue to be faithful and diligent in doing everything that God allows in our lives by using every power provided by God, our lives aren’t in vain. We will have a meaningful life. At least we have tried earnestly to do God’s will. Most importantly, make sure that we have believe in Jesus as our only Lord and Savior. Make sure that we always make God as our Shepherd. Only He is the Helper, Guardian, Leader and Guide who can guarantee us to arrive at the house of the eternal Father and stay with the Father forever.
“The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. . . . Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.” (Psalm 23 AMP)
By: Sella Irene – Beautiful Words
Photo Credit: Google Images ( pixabay.com ) edited with pixlr apps
Karina's Thought 