Most, if not all, newspapers have an obituary section. I have heard older people joke that they read that section to make sure they are not dead yet. Others read it to see if they know anyone listed.
What all need to realize is that one day, our names will be listed in the obituary section.
Knowing that death is a fact of life, we ought to be preparing for its coming. In the physical sense, most of us probably have made some preparation for our families and ourselves. We have wills made, buy life insurance, set up programs for our children to be taken care of, etc. These are things that we need to think of and plan for. However, what plans are we making for our and our children’s spiritual futures?
How much time have you taken to plan for eternity? Are you depending on your parents for your planning? You wouldn’t do that for your physical future, so why do it in the spiritual sense? You have all the tools to plan and execute the needed things to make sure you and your family is well taken care of in eternity.
The tool is the Bible. God has given us the means to make our spiritual “portfolio.” We need to remember the words of David: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments (Psalms 119:105-6).
As in the physical world, we have to start somewhere in planning for eternity. First, pick up your Bible and start studying it every day. Read about the son of God, how he was born of Mary, just as the prophets said would happen (Matthew 1:18-25). Read about his life as he walked among men, doing signs of wonders and miracles (Acts 2:22). Study about his message to mankind to come to him and find the water of life (John 4:14). Look closely at the horrible death he died for you (Matthew 26-27).
Then, read where he came forth from the grave triumphant over death (Matthew 28). Come to know he is the son of God.
Your next step should take you his church. How he said he would build it (Matthew 16:18), and how it was paid for with his own blood (Acts 20:28). See how those in the first century became members of the Church (Acts 2:1-47).
By now, some may be thinking, “This is going to take too much of my time.” Well, how long did it take to make out your will, or buy the best insurance? Remember, this planning is for your good throughout eternity.
You should not delay in making these preparations. Your life may not last all that long. “…For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away (James 4:13-14). The effect your planning can have on your family is something else to consider. If you keep putting off making a commitment to God, you may be sending the wrong signal to your children. If they see in our lives that obedience to God is a secondary thing, then most likely it also will be to them or maybe even less a priority (Matthew 5:14-16). Your light needs to burn brightly to show the way. For you need to remember that you just might be the one of whom the funeral director was speaking. Then who will provide a way of eternal security for your family?
God has given you the time and tools needed to prepare for eternity. Make good use of your time. Prepare for your physical death, but more importantly, plan for your existence in eternity. You may be the next one!