The Beauty in Death

So, I actually wrote this about 3 weeks ago...and I just realized that it never posted. So....here ya go. (:


When I think of death, I think of mold. Rotten, rank decomposition. We're conditioned to relate death with sorrow, and for good reason, too. Death is destructive, it tears our hearts and sometimes it even tears our relationships. I've seen families destroyed because of the death of a central loved one. It's not fair and it's most definitely not beautiful.

But for those of us who are in Christ, death has a new meaning. We hear in church and in songs that Christ has overcome the grave and conquered death, but do we really believe it? If this is true, death is no longer dark and dreary, but just the beginning of new life. It is a promise of that which is to come. The end of these weary bodies and this weary place and the beginning of new life in Christ our Savior, forever captivated by His glory that shines into the darkness of our once lost hearts. Death has now become....beautiful.

This is the reason we celebrate Fall. Isn't it strange that we would celebrate trees dying? Why does this make us so happy? I would argue that there's more to it than just the pretty colors. If we knew that the trees were gone forever once they turned colors, we would mourn! But that's the thing. We know that they're not forever lost. The turning of colors can be appreciated for the beauty it displays because it also displays something much deeper...It's a promise of renewal and rejuvenation. We enjoy death of trees because of the momentary display of glory as well as the enduring promise of new life. Though the leaves may fall and the branches may be bare for a time, once Spring rolls around, they will return with all the arrayed splendor we could hope for.

But I'm still afraid of death. Not for myself, but for the people around me. Mostly my sister, Emily. I have to admit that I think about it all the time. Most people would say I have a right to be worried  about this, but is that true? If all of this is true about Christ conquering death and the promise of restoration, then my worry just becomes selfish. The day my sister leaves this world will be a day of NEW LIFE. Jehovah Rophe will steal her away for Himself and heal her every illness and she'll be more alive on that day than she ever was on earth.

Of course, after the trees die, there is a period when we may wonder if they'll ever come back. The winter can seem so long and dreary sometimes. However, if we fixate on the fact that the trees are dead, we miss the beauty held within winter. When our loved ones go on to glory in Christ to behold his wonder and beauty for eternity, the time in between without them can seem so long. We may wonder if we'll ever be reunited with them. But what beauty in life are we missing as we let anxiety fill our hearts? What promise has our God ever made that has not been fulfilled? I'll help you out. Not a single one (2 Corinthians 1:20, Joshua 21:45, Joshua 23:14).



"Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace.
In the mansions bright and blessèd
He'll prepare for us a place.

When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory!


Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay. "


I can't even imagine what our day of redemption will be like. How my soul groans inwardly for that day! The day of our death....what a beautiful day that will be! As God's glory is revealed and we fully know, even as we have been fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Thank you, Father, for the hope you have given us...that Christ has defeated death and we may look forward with longing to the day when we will see your face and bow before the one who has redeemed our souls and shined His light into the depths of our hearts.

Oh, How He loves!