How can we live a life that matters? We’ve seen Solomon’s rather unusual advice. He says to “Let death be your teacher!” (Ecclesiastes 7:2)
As I wrote previously, Solomon is not suggesting a morbid preoccupation with death! No; he is simply making the observation that the more we are reminded of death, the more seriously we will consider our own destiny.
An unfortunate by-product of our modern world is that we are able to avoid the sight of death and confrontations with death, the tragic result being we don’t take life as seriously as we should. To this Solomon says: “…death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.”
How can we do this? How can we let death be our teacher? Here are a few suggestions:
Avoid morbid introspection: Solomon is not talking about a preoccupation with death; he’s not suggesting we look for it; he’s not suggesting field trips to the local mortuary! What he is saying is… Don’t avoid considering your inevitable end: In the God-ordained times and seasons of life people in our personal world will die. Solomon says we should seize these opportunities to consider afresh our own inevitable end: “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27
As someone put it long ago: “Death may come soon to some of us and it surely won’t be long for any of us.” Death should cause us to reflect on our own frailness — and on the quality and direction of our own lives. It should stimulate a little soul searching.
Now, we can also let death be our teacher by asking the right questions:
- Am I prepared for death? If the thought of death strikes fear in our heart it’s probably because our relationship with God isn’t right. There is only one way to prepare for death and judgment: We must believe in Jesus Christ and receive Him as the only Savior and Lord for our life. There is no other way of salvation. If we’ve done this but still have fear it might be due to unconfessed sin.
- Am I redeeming the time wisely? The Bible says:
- “Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17
- What is His will? That God, family, and friends are a priority; redeeming the time wisely is keeping short accounts with loved ones. It’s taking the initiative to be reconciled with someone.
- What are my honest feelings? Human relationships are seldom if ever without blemish. So, at death there is ordinarily a mixture of emotions (guilt, regret). We can lay the whole burden of our emotions before God.
My conclusion: Life is not an endless summer! Winter will come to us all. To die with honor, live with perspective. To live with perspective let death be your teacher. “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” Psalm 90:12.
An old Scotchman, while dying, was asked what he thought of death, and he replied, “It matters little to me whether I live or die. If I die I will be with Jesus, and if I live Jesus will be with me.”
That’s a healthy attitude — and a good note to end this [lengthy!] devotional on!