Ever since I can remember I had a fear of death. Maybe it is not so much the fear of dying itself but the mystery of what happens after we die. In grade school I was taught by the nuns what to believe, but the lack of statistical evidence, and many unanswered questions made me dispute their predictions for the afterlife. Would I really have to live my worst moments over and over (at the time that was endless hours of practicing the piano) until my sins were repented in purgatory? Would I really be united with my loved ones and be able to enjoy Grandma's cookies again? A wonderful concept, but non of it biblical.
I bring this up today at the start of Holy Week. The week that we celebrate the dying and rising of a man, who was God. A concept, that if it appeared in print today, would seem like a scam, a tabloid. But something we as Christians fully believe and accept as truth.
Curious that today the MSN homepage has an article on the same topic. Pictures that people drew of their near death experiences, scientific concepts to help support the idea of heaven, and new book on the topic of our fascination with the afterlife. Interesting that in this world of political correctness and materialism, 81% of Americans believe in the concept of heaven, up from 72% ten years ago. But what that belief actually is, seems to be all over the board.
I sometimes wish that Jesus, during one of his teachings, would have laid out the description of what heaven would be like in more detail. I use to worry and struggle with giving my children the answers they sought about what happens when we die. I didn't want to mislead them to believe a concept that may not be true. And I have to admit that after all the thought I have given the topic I am probably more confused now than I was as a child. But what I have concluded is that we are not meant to know. And although I am still curious about the topic, and am sure to read that new book, I am content in exploring, but not knowing. I think possibly heaven was never described for us because it is so undiscribeable.
So today what I need to believe in is that unbelievable sacrafice 2000 years ago. And to celebrate my faith during this holiest of weeks.
3 comments:
Nice post. I've been thinking a lot about Christ and His sacrifice for us this week so many years ago. I know that heaven is a real place. Christ taught (John 14:2) that he was going to prepare a place for us when he left the earth, and I know that heaven will be a place of everlasting happiness. Though the bible isn't as specific as we'd like it to be about heaven, I believe in modern revelation from God through modern-day prophets, in which we learn more about what Christ's teachings in the Bible mean.
Here are some things I believe about death.
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=c49e0bbce1d98010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=bbd508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
Personally, I am not afraid of death at all. I feel guilty and I'm sort of scared to admit how much I'm looking forward to it, because it seems morbid. But I know that the next life will reunite me with my mom and little sister, whom I greatly miss. And I know that the next life holds so much joy and happiness.
Happy Easter!
I Love this post. I've often thought just as you have and do, but could never really explain it. You inspire me so much with your words, Katherine!
I am intrigued by your thought that today Jesus' dying and rising would be a scam for the tabloids. I suspect you are right. Are we really that skeptical?
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