I visited an older sister in a retirement home. She talked about some of her fellow residents, their illnesses, and that their days were likely numbered. She seemed to be doing well for her age. Almost as an afterthought she added with a mischievous smile, “I guess I’ll have to die healthy.” Her humorous comment left me grinning.
No matter how you say it: death is inevitably part of life. The wise Solomon already stated this around 3,000 years ago: “One generation passes away, and another generation comes” (Ecclesiastes 1:4). That was true then, is true today, and will remain true for as long as the earth revolves. It is the inevitable cycle of generations.
The Bible speaks of death in a frank and simple manner: it just calls it “dying.” The author of the Letter to the Hebrews speaks openly and without reservation: “And as it is appointed for men to die, once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). So, death is not the end of everything, but rather the threshold to God’s judgment—and thus to eternity.
When you contemplate this, it hits you. With every birthday— with every single day—we move closer to our finish line. Step by step, sometimes subtly and unnoticed, and at other times painfully obvious. And then the crucial question surfaces: What comes after that?
Does everything end with the last breath? Or is there a “beyond,” a continuation past the boundary we call “death”? The Bible provides a clear answer. Life does not end in nothingness but leads us to the One who created us. That’s why it is so important to consider today how we will face that encounter with God.
On another occasion, I visited a brother in the hospital. He was elderly, with increasing limitations, so his children agreed to his admission as recommended by his physician. When I entered his room, his face noticeably lit up. As the IV slowly rehydrated his body, we discussed his condition and the tests he had undergone. Then he looked at me and said in a calm manner: “The hour will come for everyone.” After a brief pause, he added with firm conviction: “I am ready!” – He didn’t need to say more. The question I had intended to ask was fully answered. We prayed together and said goodbye. Thoughtfully, I got into my car and drove home. One day later, he entered his eternal home.
Not only was his soul ready to meet the Lord but he had also wisely made certain his affairs were in order. The burial site had long been determined, and he had prepared an envelope for each of his children. He had even remembered the pastor with a brown envelope labeled “When I die.” Enclosed was everything needed: a self-written eulogy, suggestions for the funeral service, selected hymns, a deeply meaningful Bible verse, and other information. You could tell he had seriously considered the topic of death and had planned accordingly. In doing so, he had not only intentionally prepared for his own encounter with the living God but had also lifted a great burden from his loved ones. He had even made the pastor’s task easier with this final expression of his caring and thoughtfulness.
As I reflect on all of this, a story from the Bible comes to mind. The prophet Isaiah received a message from God to deliver to the terminally ill King Hezekiah, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live!” (Isaiah 38:1). The message was clear and unmistakable: Hezekiah was to prepare for the end and get everything in order. But Hezekiah fervently pleaded with God—and the Lord heard his prayer. He granted him 15 additional years. But even that period of grace came to an end. In 2 Chronicles 32:33 we read, “So Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the upper area of the tombs of the sons of David.” Hezekiah’s story shows us although God can extend life, the end is still inevitable. What matters is that we are ready—whether sooner or later—when our time comes.
Even after the gift of 15 additional years, Hezekiah likely never forgot the prophet’s words. In fact, they weren’t meant only for him —God’s Word is always a message to all of us. It wants to speak to our hearts. Moses captures this truth in one sentence, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
In an age where people prefer to avoid or postpone the thought of death, Moses says the opposite: we should intentionally deal with our mortality. Our life is shorter, more fleeting, and more fragile than we often care to admit.
But the goal is not to plunge us into fear or despair, but to make us wise—to teach us to live with an eternal perspective. To “gain a heart of wisdom,” as the New Century Version translates it, means “so that we may be wise” and in the New Living Translation, “that we may grow in wisdom.” In other words: those who reflect on death learn to truly understand life and to live it in light of eternity.
Those who live with eternity in view and prepare accordingly will be able to say at the end, “I am ready.” When the hour of death comes, everything else instantly loses importance. Possessions, achievements, plans—all is left behind. We take nothing with us. The last breath is also the entrance into eternity.
“I am ready”—these words are a testimony of peace with God. They speak of forgiveness, of erased guilt, and of a heart at peace. David describes this state beautifully in Psalm 32:1–2, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!” (NIV) Such people are truly wise. Because they do not walk blindly into the unknown but can confidently advance toward the finish line—with the certainty, I am ready.
I admire what that brother did: he didn’t think only of himself and his relationship with God but also considered the loved ones left behind. Through his preparation, he tried to significantly ease their burden. When a death occurs—usually suddenly and unexpectedly—the family is often overwhelmed and struggling. “My thoughts are completely scattered,” a sister wrote to me after a death in her family. Important documents cannot be found, details for the eulogy are missing, and many organizational issues pile up like a mountain. In such a challenging time, the burden feels even greater, creating a time filled with stress and pressure.
Perhaps this reminder can help us with our personal planning. Making final arrangements is not only a sign of foresight but also an expression of love for those left behind. Some points worth considering are:
- The will – Clear legal arrangements help avoid disputes.
- Distribution of personal belongings – Who gets what, even if it’s not in the will (car, paintings, dishes, family photos, coin collection, etc.)?
- PIN numbers and passwords – For computers, credit cards, or online accounts.
- Bank accounts – Clear details of financial institutions.
- Investments and assets – So nothing is overlooked
- Pension documents – For cancellation of benefits
- Personal information – For example, when you became a believer or were baptized.
- Wishes for the funeral – Favorite hymns, meaningful Bible verses, maybe even thoughts for the memorial service.
- Location of documents – And don’t forget to tell a trusted person, perhaps the executor, where everything is kept.
Whoever makes timely arrangements removes a great burden from those left behind—and gives them peace and direction at a difficult time.
We don’t know when our time will come or when we will cross the finish line. But it brings a deep peace and calmness when we know everything is in order, everything is prepared. Then we won’t be troubled by uncertainty. And when the Lord finally calls us to Himself, we can go home in peace—with the words that say more than a thousand explanations, “I am ready.”
Harry Semenjuk
Wetaskiwin, Alberta
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