I will finish my three part series on the journey of life but today I wanted to share about the passing of a coworker and friend Denis Dumm. Denis went on a real vacation for the first time in five years and died as a result of a swimming accident. Tuesday we closed the office and went to his funeral. The office will never be the same because of his passing. Things are quiet now and his voice calling out for someone will never be heard again except in our memories. We were so vivdly reminded that death is a part of life for each of us. Our friend is gone but our lives continue on until it is our time to step from this life into eternity. But death is not the end for us only the start of the next chapter. Death is not the final arrival point for any of us.
You see when God created us (and if you read this and don't believe in God or creation you will find out when you step out from this life that it is true) He created us as eternal beings with a soul that will live on after our bodies cease to function. Our bodies are only tents as the Apostle Paul tells us that we live in here while on earth. The body will break down and age and finally stop working one day unless the Lord comes back for His followers. He made us spiritual beings that were created to serve and worship Him and to have fellowship with Him. The problem is that when Adam sinned, he messed up God's plan for mankind. He designed us to live forever with Him. Death was not to be our destiny but eternal life with our God was. When sinned entered this world, death became a part of our future. Sin always leads to death and separation from God. Many people fail to undertand that when we leave this earth through death we do not cease to exist but our spirits live on. Some live on to experience the joy of God's presence in Heaven while many others go into a Christless eternity and punishment. God knew Adam would mess up and that we too would fail Him. But He provided the Lamb whose blood would take away our sin and give us life if we only accept it. God loves each of us so much and wants noone to perish but that all would come to repentance and eternal life. Christ defeated death and the grave and in Him we too can do the same. We may die before He returns but the death and the grave cannot hold us because we serve a risen Saviour!
My hope is that one day I will see my friend Denis again when I make my own exit from this life either through death or the Rapture. I hope, no I pray, that those people I touch with my life will see Christ in me and desire to be with Him for all eternity. Denis is gone but his spirit will always live on not just in our hearts but in God's presence. You know I have to ask. Where will you spend eternity? Remember that death is not the end only the start of the next chapter of life.
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