Thursday, October 24, 2013

What comes next? Life Continues After Death


“What comes next?” “I don’t know what to do?” Many of us find ourselves questioning in situations of tumult and distress, such as the passing of a loved one. At the moment may feel alone, as we all would.  In any situation God always has a plan for you, your family, and the loved one. Heavenly Father wants those tender moments of going on late summer bike rides and playing catch in the park to stay vivid in your mind. Why? The good moments never have to end. What would you do knowing that these old memories and ones yet to come continue into eternity? Death does not prevail; families can be together forever.

The moment you see a dear friend or relative slip from one side to the other side truly tries one’s faith. I know how you feel; I have been there. Temporarily, all of your earthly activities and pursuits with that individual go on hold; this may seem like the end, but it is not. When one passes on, their body will rest peacefully on the earth. In contrast to what happens to one’s body: the spirit of the individual (often referred to as the soul), continues to live on in full glory. When one passes on, they bring with them the knowledge accumulated and refined in this life, over to the next side. An end result, they never forget you: the same way you will never forget them.

We still ask, “Why must all things end?” Before delving deeper into this difficult question, think of an apprenticeship or an internship.  What is the purpose of both? The result that comes from shadowing a master ends with both personal refinement and real world experience. If you have ventured down either one of these pathways, you know how strenuous and arduous the position poses. After going through the ordeal, do you want to be the intern or apprentice forever?  Wouldn’t you want to be endowed with knowledge in your desired field when it ends? God takes the same stance on our earthly lives; He does not want you to struggle forever! He does want you to go through a refiner’s fire and develop Godly attributes that will aid you later on.

We know all things must end, where our end route? Mainstream Christianity teaches that our final destination is Heaven or Hell. We know that more than these two destinations await us on the other side. Wouldn’t you think that there would be more places for all of the people on the earth rather than just two places? God has a reward system set up for His children to reward them for their use of Jesus Christ’s atonement, versus simply than giving eternal happiness or eternal sorrow. God is equal and just in His dealings. He knows everything; everything will be sorted out by him.
 The tragedy that death poses will not prevail forever. More await you as you center your lives on Christ and refine yourself. Emulating Godly attributes as simple as faith in Jesus Christ, hope, virtue, and humility prepare you to meet your maker. Do all that you can to receive your fullest reward. He never judges where you begin; judgment is based on where we end. Live up to your fullest potential; there is more after death.  

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