Death: The Fifth and Final Season

Seasons are a natural timetable that God has provided for the earth, as well as for humans, that ultimately brings about growth. On the planet, and in our lives, there will always be seasons. The four seasons on Earth consist of Spring, the season of new birth; Summer, the season of growing; Fall, the season of change; and Winter, the season of rest; and certain stages of the human life mimic the seasons on Earth. Humans go through seasons of new birth, growing, change, and rest as well; and each season leads to one common denominator, growth.

But there is another season that most of us don’t like to talk about, and that is the final season of life, called Death. Today, death seems to be everywhere, whether it be tornadoes, tsunamis, war, murder, and even cancer. Death is the only thing, other than the weather, that man can’t control. If we were asked how we feel about dying, Christians might answer something like “I’m ready, because I’m going to meet Jesus (John 3:16), get my new body, and walk the streets of gold!” The Buddhist may say “We look forward to coming back again.” Catholics might say “I am ready to meet God because I’ve been confirmed and baptized.” Muslims may be confident and say they know their soul will exist and body will be transformed after death, and so they welcome it. And yet others such as of Jewish faith, and other various faiths, may declare “I have fulfilled my God-given assignment and treated people well all my life, so I am ready.” But the question isn’t, how do you feel about heaven or the afterlife. The question is, how do we feel about dying?

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Many often talk about the afterlife in glowing terms, with a sense of confidence and pride; but what about the final season, the period before we cross over the bridge that carries us from life to death? Unless we die instantly, we will have to experience the slow but inevitable process of dying. Our bodies will slowly deteriorate, and as it deteriorates, we will be reminded that our health will continue to decline and that death’s door is soon approaching. One’s hope and prayer is that they will die in their sleep or just die suddenly, but there is a great possibility that one day we will have to experience the process of death; and it may be under more difficult and painful circumstances. However, it is realistic to say that most of us can be relatively comfortable even in our last days with today’s medicine. The physical can be taken care of in most cases, but how about the mental and emotional part of dealing with the last season?

Much of the pain of dying may be caused by the need to detach from the world, which includes material possessions, physical pleasures, personal accomplishments, and even one’s identity itself. Being debilitated by illness or confined to a bed can make a person lose his or her sense of self. For example, someone’s profession becomes a thing of the past as that person’s illness progresses. No longer is he or she a valued employee or a successful entrepreneur. Activities in the community or in ministry that previously gave meaning to daily life are now a thing of the past. Those who are dying no longer feel able to fulfill the duties of husband, wife, or parent. A future once filled with hopes and dreams is now under direct attack. All former sense of control and power is lost. No matter how strong we are or how in control we may feel, strength and determination cannot postpone the final season; God, the Creator of all things, has the final word. Everyone’s days are numbered.

But be encouraged, there’s good news ! Think about this; how could death be a horrible time when it often brings people to say things such as “Forgive me,” “I forgive you,” “Thank you,” and “I love you”? Have you noticed how people change in remarkable ways as they live out the final season? People are more accepting and forgiving of themselves and more loving toward others. They find ways to strengthen bonds with those they love and also with people they have not liked so much. They seem to want to get things right during their final passage. And in fact, the dying often comfort the living because those on Earth are left to suffer. It’s a time to end the journey of life and prepare for another life, the after-life; which, by the way, is not the subject of this article.

Could one see death as precious, because it removes us from worldly troubles and calls us to be reconciled with our Creator to begin living the after-life? The One who has created each life will one day call for the end of that life; and as we are called, we must face the fact that our Earthly assignment is over, and we must let go of the lives that were assigned to us and become excited about moving on to the eternal after-life. Every one of us is dying daily, right now. Every day, every breath is one day and breath closer to death. Find your true purpose and fulfill your earthly assignment. Treat others as you want them to treat you, give, love, and make a difference. Make peace with your neighbors and your enemies. More importantly, make peace with your God. Then, and only then, can you experience mental and emotional peace when you die. For those living without faith, or in anger, fear, or guilt, it’s never too late, get up. Even an oak tree doesn’t produce acorns until it’s at least 50 years old. If you’re breathing, there’s time to get it right. No man know the day nor the hour. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone.

Most people believe that there is life beyond the grave, and we know that our short lives on earth are only a preparation for life that will never end. For many of us, the experience of crossing over from life to death can be cherished as the last human experience that we will have. With a little renewing of our minds, dying could become the most wonderful time of our lives.

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