Tim McGraw has a hit song called, “Live Like You Were Dying.” I’ve been contemplating this a lot recently because this summer has been filled with the news of a lot of young people dying unexpectedly. One day last month the Pantagraph had to use three pages just to list 28 different obituaries.
As a pastor I am often called upon to comfort hurting families and to lead funeral services. For a recent service I had the privilege of preaching from the Book of Ecclesiastes. Before this particular individual died she asked me to focus on the third chapter because in her words, “It says it all.” I thought I’d share part of what brought her grieving family and friends comfort.
1. God has set up a rhythm to everyday life. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die…” Life has a certain order and balance to it. Planting in the spring leads to harvest in the fall and summer recess will soon be replaced with the start of school.
2. God offers us a relationship so we can have eternal life. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says: “…He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.” You and I are created for another place. We tend to think that this is the land of the living and that when we die we go to the place where dead people go. Actually, we have it backwards. This is the land of the dying and when we leave here we go to the land of the living, either to a place called heaven or to a place called hell.
Dying is a part of living and if you want to live in heaven after you die you must decide to live for the Lord now. God has set up a rhythm to everyday life and He also offers you a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ so you can have eternal life. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10).
While we’re alive, let’s apply one of the lines in McGraw’s song: “Some day, I hope you get the chance, ‘To live like you were dyin.’” Are you living that way today? If not, why not? This is your chance.
Bill is senior pastor at Pontiac Bible Church. Contact him at brian@pontiacbible.org.