“For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News” (Col. 1:4-5, NLT).

Halloween is quickly coming up – we dress up like goblins and ghouls and all sorts of scary creatures. Then, too, we’re obsessed with TV shows like “The Living Dead” and movies like the “Twilight” series. In the current pop culture there seems to be a fascination with the UNDEAD.

Why is it that we can go to the movies, watch the shows, and dress up like the UNDEAD, that we can laugh about it and spend hours and hours talking about it? This is truly a fascinating thing!

So, why is it that we NEVER want to talk about dying? We don’t share our thoughts with family and friends, we never (or seldom) laugh about it, and we certainly never spend hours and hours talking about it. Why is that? Are we afraid or are we creeped out at the reality of DEATH?

I think the reality is that we just don’t understand death. It seems so… FINAL! But, throughout the New Testament, the Good News Testament in the Bible, Jesus, his disciples, Paul, and so many others talked constantly about DEATH. BUT, in a good way.

In the manner Paul outlined to the church in Colossae in the verse above, through our faith and salvation in Jesus Christ we have a HOPE of living on! This life that we know right now is only the starting point. At some point in our lives we’re going to leave this life, and though our body will die, WE WILL NOT – WE WILL LIVE ON!

Death in this life is not to be feared, but looked upon with hopeful expectation of the BEST LIFE yet to come. Now, I am not in any particular hurry to leave all you good people behind, but at least I know that when I do, Jesus has promised me a better place. A forever place. A place of peace and glory of the Lord where I will have things to do, places to go, and people to see.

About ten years ago I lost both of my parents. Without Jesus I would NEVER see them again, because without Christ, we cannot go to heaven. So, though I miss my parents, I am happy for where they are and happy in the confidence that I will see them again when I move from this life to my perfect life!

For everyone that is my brother and sister through the salvation of Jesus Christ, then I’ll see you there, too! This is our PROMISED HOPE of a BETTER TOMORROW!

Life, Death, and Eternal Life is ALL ABOUT JESUS!

David McCall, Executive Pastor