The Ort Family

  

Valentine's Day is coming up on Thursday.  While the world focuses on an imitation of true love and pleasures which soon fade away, what should Christians focus on?  This week, I will be pondering death.  Why death?  We are all too prone to live as if death does not exist.  We forget that our lives on this earth will end.  While others engage in frivolity, we must maintain a sober mind by reminding ourselves of the brevity of life.  To prepare for death, it is crucial to make sure our relationships, first with God and then with others, are in good standing.  Later this week, I plan to post an article on love, Lord willing.  But this one must come first.

Within the last 8 months, I personally attended 6 funerals, and heard of even more people who had died.  Below are short lessons we should learn from these people.  One day, every pair of eyes will cease to see.  One day, every mind will cease to think.  One day, every heart will cease to beat.  Today may be your day.

LouAnn Goodbary refused to let her handicaps keep her away from church.  Sometimes, her seizures necessitated her absence, but otherwise she was a very faithful attendee.  She even took sermon tapes home for more intent listening.  She is remembered in part for continually talking to the Lord about her troubles and listening to what He would say.  Do we have such purity of heart that we are continuously conversing with the Lord?  Do we find no joy greater than that of fellowship with Him?  If we would find this joy a reality in our daily lives, we would lack nothing at all in this world.  There would be nothing more for which we could ask, for ours would be the greatest treasure available to mankind: walking and talking with the King of kings and Lord of the universe.  LouAnn, despite her handicaps, knew God as her highest priority.  We who are physically well have no excuse to do otherwise.

Jaron Holliday, a 21-year old homeschool graduate, was killed in Iraq while driving a Humvee.  I attended the funeral with one of my brothers.  The service lasted 3 1/2 hours, and was truly the most joyful funeral I have attended.  Jaron's mother was literally jumping up and down, clapping and cheering for the Lord and her son, whom God had called to Himself.  Mrs. Holliday, after hearing the news of her son's death, said "I'm jealous."  No doubt this statement had something to do with her battle with cancer.  If the Holliday family can be so joyful in the midst of tragedy, why do we get upset about insignificant matters?  May God help us maintain a correct perspective.  The suffering in this present world cannot compare with the glory that awaits Christians in Heaven.

Ollie Mae Orrick, my great-grandmother, died at the age of 98.  During the last few weeks of her life, Grandmaw was more lucid than she had been for several years.  She used that time to make relationships right.  My mother was able to spend a week helping to care for her, and at one point Grandmaw said, "I enjoy.  I am happy."  She spoke of going to Heaven.  Even in her last days of suffering on this earth, she anticipated a land free of sorrow and pain.  May we keep the perspective of eternity ever before our eyes, and make sure our relationships are free of offense.

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Carol Welch demonstrated the character of a Proverbs 31 woman.  Her face glowed with a smile, and I believe that smile came from her relationship with God.  He sustained her in being a faithful helper to her husband and mother to two sons, one of whom we know encourages missionaries around the world.  Although I did not spend much time with her, I remember her as a joyful contributor to potlucks.  Carol's gracious spirit now has the joy of being with Christ forever in Heaven.  We Christians have all reason to rejoice in this life knowing that we will live with Christ forever.

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Granville Mays became a Christian only when his children were grown, but immediately there was a difference.  He gathered his family together, apologized for his previous apathy, and thereafter exhibited an extraordinary caring and loving spirit.  His encounter with Christ manifested itself powerfully in obliterating his apathy.  Does Christ make a difference in our treatment of others?  I dare to say that those who act as Christians earn a greater reward than those who simply speak of Christ

Richard Shoemaker, even in his retirement, immensely enjoyed working at the company his father began and his son now owns.  At his funeral, he was honored by 3 grandsons who presented his eulogy.  Two other young grandsons read Scripture about a wise man and seasons of life.  Richard's grandchildren are blessed with the legacy of a godly grandfather.  Do we consider what legacy we will leave for posterity?  Do we live in such a way that will spur others on in godliness?  When we are gone, others will carry our torch.  Let us make sure that the torch we leave is well-trimmed and burning brightly.

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Sallie Crawford was a consistent participant at woodworking and scrolling club meetings which my brother attended.  On Thursday night, she was killed in a head-on collision on her way to one such meeting.  No doubt she did not expect that to be her last time to leave her house, nor that she would not give her planned presentation at the meeting.  We do not know when our last goodbye to family before heading out the door will be.  We do not know when our last rounding of a corner will occur.  We never know what hour will be our last.  Let us be ready to meet our Creator in judgement any moment.

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One young man presented a sermon on the brevity of life.  He had no idea that he would die only two years later at the age of 19.  Although I did not know this man, I was challenged by his sermon and encourage you to listen to it here+.

It is never too early to ponder death.  It may be fatal if you do not.  Most of the people mentioned above are in a much better place now, but that is only because they repented of their sin before they died.  Likewise, whoever does not take the time now to consider his or her standing before God, knowing that all are condemned to destruction, risks waiting until it is too late.  There are no second chances when one has departed from this life.  You will either repent and be cleansed from sin in this life, or you will pay forever in a lake of burning fire.  Turn to Christ before it is too late.  

This may seem to be a strange Valentine's Day article, but our ability to rightly love others depends upon our ability to love God.  It is when we ponder death that we are reminded of the eternally significant aspects of life, none of which are more important than our relationships with God and others.

* photo from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/97453 

#photo from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/798614

@ photo from http://www.freephotosbank.com/2443.html 

~ photo from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/97449 

Reference the websites if you wish to use the photos.

+ http://www.visionforum.com/hottopics/blogs/dwp/2007/11/3118.aspx  

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 at 11:06 am and is filed under Ana Marie, Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.