By John T. Catrett, III
Scissortail Hospice Chaplain Bristow, Oklahoma
Death or Birth?
By Ken Murrell Depew Church of Christ
The author of the Old Testament Bible book of Ecclesiastes wrote wise words for people to think about. He also wrote with a pessimistic slant. At times he was downright negative!
King Solomon’s words of wisdom get the listener to think about his or her own temporal life.
Solomon says, “A good name is better than precious ointment, And, the day a person dies is better than the day he was born. It is better to go to a funeral than to a wild party. We must all die. Everyone who is alive should really think about this” (Ecclesiastes 7:1-2). WOW! Now that’s something to think about!
A few short years ago the world was facing COVID, a virus that took the lives of many folks. Maybe you are still suffering from the damage. Did your life change in 2020?
Someone has said, “Anyone older than fifty has lived most of their life!”
This true statement may seem bleak, but it is nevertheless a reality. There is no way of knowing when it can happen. Of course, most people don’t go around wringing their hands all day, thinking of death. It might be better for every person to consider that day.
The brother of Jesus wrote, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow, we will go to such-and-such a city. We will stay there a year, do business, and make money.’ You don’t know what will happen tomorrow! Your life is like a fog. It appears for a short time, and then it disappears” ( James 4:13-14).
There is no way to control the coming of that day! People die everywhere. Death can come suddenly at home, or while at work. Some people leave this world during a vacation in Hawaii! Others leave home for a simple trip to a neighborhood store, but won’t return home. It’s very unpredictable, isn’t it?
Just as you had no control over the day of your birth, now you don’t have any say on the day of your death! But, why is “the day a person dies better than the day he was born”?
We can look out the window of our home and see the sorry state of the world. What can you do to release yourself from the concern of that coming day?
In your own Bible is the ultimate answer: “The pay you get for sinning is death, but God’s gift is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Turn to God while you still have an opportunity, and live your life for HIm!