We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8
A Sunday school teacher was astonished when none of his students put up their hands when he asked them who wanted to go to Heaven. So he asked one little boy why he didn’t put up his hand. ‘Cause,’ the little boy replied, ‘I don’t wanna die.’ Of course he didn’t. The most powerful of all human instincts. We do anything and everything to remain alive as long as we can. This is true of the believer and the non-believer alike. This is the way we are made, and even the assurance that we will enter Heaven on our departure from life here on earth does not diminish the power of the self preservation instinct. Even Paul, as he wrote today’s text, did not want to die. But he could see beyond death and appreciate that which awaited Him in the Glory. And that appreciation made his life worthwhile and his death less of a dread.
Death is certainly a dread. The King of Terrors is on our track and we do everything we can to forestall him. We look after our health so we will live longer, we take precautions to avoid accidents, and we keep ourselves informed on ways to survive. Life is important. But death is inevitable. Most of us will go quietly in our beds in our old age, not like Paul who was to encounter Nero’s chopping block. But Paul’s attitude was not one of dreading death or fearing pain but of being absent from the body and present with the Lord. Being there instead of here was something he could anticipate and appreciate.
We can all appreciate a change of scenery once in awhile. But what a change of scenery Paul was anticipating! Instead of the dingy and dirty walls of his Roman prison, and the rough clatter of Roman guards, he was considering the magnificent brightness of Heaven’s mansions and the sweetness of His Saviour’s smiling welcome. Instead of the aches and anguish as his body reminded him constantly of his advancing years and his suffering for Christ, he could anticipate the release from bodily weakness and pain forever. Looking beyond – and not at – death made Paul the more willing to be present with the Lord. His comfort and assurance can be ours too, if we will but appreciate the Glory that lies before.
What do you know about Heaven? How anxious are you to see the Lord who saved you? Consider His presence, and you will be willing to be there. -Jim MacIntosh