Thinking about death.

I just came back from a memorial. A memorial for one of the girls who was in my sunday school class and in my group of youth group girls. I found out about her death while I was away. Horriffic circumstance. Yet, just now... I'm happy. maybe not happy. I don't know. Oh yes time to break out one of my favourite words: joyful. I'm joyful and I'm content. I mourned her loss. But I can't feel sad when I know the truth: to live is Christ and to die is gain. There was no need for sadness. Well yes, she won't be around to liven up my sunday school class anymore, but she trusted Jesus, his victory over death is now hers.

When I first found out, I went straight to scripture for comfort of course. 1 Corinthians 15: where, O death is your victory? where, O death is your sting? Those triumphant words. I could recite them all day long. The freedom and comfort they provide is inexpressible. A Christian funeral is a celebration.

And so I feel a great burden now. There are people very close to me, whom I love very much, who don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior. I don't know how I'd react to their death. I'd be a mess. I'd feel like I'd failed them. I can't ignore the reality any longer. There's no comfort in their death.

And so I'm encouraged, but it feels like I've also been reminded - or warned, almost. Life is short. Our purpose is to know God and serve him and once we do, we must spread that message. We are responsible.

So what am I doing about it?