Rest in Peace

When someone dies, we often say their life was cut too short. But, in our minds, lives will always be cut too short.

When God told Adam and Eve that they would die, they didn’t believe Him. They didn’t die immediately, nor did they know when they would die, so it’s understandable that they didn’t think they were really going to die. But, it was because of their eventual deaths that others could live, for if it were not for Adam and Eve’s loss of immortality, none of us would exist. It is death that gives way to life. So yes, when someone dies, their life is cut too short, but it’s their sacrifice of life that gives way to more life. And, even though Adam and Eve lost their worldly immortality, they ended up gaining a more meaningful immortality with God.

I don’t think anyone, if not a mere handful of people, would choose worldly immortality. While we naturally fear death and the end, not knowing what comes next, often we fear what’s on this Earth even more. And an immortal life for us would mean more struggles and more strife, and I think that most people would accept and rather move on after a certain point than eternally live through life. Speaking on a more personal level, I understand and have felt those feelings of finality – of wanting an end to all things. I’ve felt the desire to move on from life and into whatever comes next. I’ve felt like throwing myself across that threshold just to escape the woes of life. While it was certainly neither my time, nor what I truly wanted in retrospect, I do know that I would rather let that day come and embrace it than to fear it, even if I can’t be certain what awaits.

So, with that, rest in peace, Terry. I hope you found an end to your pain and eternal bliss with God.