Two deaths have occurred in our small community that have touched my life even though I really knew neither of them. The first gentleman was a friend of my husband's family. He was well known in the community as he used to own a gun and sporting store. So it was to a select group that he was familiar with. He was known to spend large amounts of money on "toys" and buy things for other people. He would throw a huge party in the summer for his friends and business associates. The menu would include steaks for everyone and all the alcohol one could drink. His health had deteriorated in the last 15 years with diabetes and heart disease. Over a year ago he had been in a coma following heart surgery and not expected to live. He had many "close calls" and came out of them eventually. This last time, he wasn't successful. I remember praying for this man when he was in the coma. He didn't know the Lord and I prayed that God would come to him and speak to him in this time of surrender. He lived his life in his own way on his own terms. Sadly, he died the same way. I found out today that the Lord was not in his life, even at the end. For that I am so sad and so angry at the same time. I believe the Lord gave him many opportunities in his life to recognize his need for Him. The man had "nine lives" it seemed. The Lord kept giving him another chance, another chance, another chance. Is there a point where the Lord knows that this heart will never soften and turns his head? I don't know. But Scripture does talk about the "hardening of hearts", and "giving them over to their lustful desires".
The other gentleman I had never met. He was 54 years old and also owned a business in a small neighboring community. He died in a tragic fall from a ladder. His son had the misfortune to be witness to his father's death. The death was sudden and totally unexpected. In contrast, the man loved the Lord. He comes from a heritage of believers and was very active in his church. He had been to Haiti last year on a mission trip to an orphanage that the church sponsors. It sounds like he was a caring and merciful soul. He didn't kn that his last day was his very last but he was ready nonetheless. The other man wasn't. He had no time for last thoughts. The other man did. Why did the first man not recognize the Lord in his life? The second man probably gave the glory to God for everything that happened in his life.
I'm not sure I understand but I guess it really is the gift of free will. We all have the opportunity in our lives to accept or reject the One that gave His life so we could live. The rejection of Christ is a death sentence. I weep for those who have gone to the grave with no knowledge of Him. The joy they missed in life is tragic, but even more tragic is the consequence of rejection. Eternity without God and that "one more opportunity for Christ" will never come again.
1 comment:
I feel the same. My mother-in-law ruled her kids from the grave. She played the piano in church but she refuse to make peace with her one daughter. We tried to convince her. But nothing. She died in a flood in 2001, with 2 grandchildren and a niece. The letters we received after the funiral broke my heart.She still did not make peace with her daughter.
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