1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.” NASB

I never thought about my mortality when I was in my teens and even in my twenties (after I returned from Vietnam).  I was ten feet tall and bulletproof; at least, that is how I lived.  Later as I had children of my own, and lost my grandfather and then my father, I began to realize that I was just passing through this life and will one day pass from this life. 

Some people resist planning, in advance, for their funeral, thinking it is too morbid. Some have told me that they don’t want to invite “bad karma” by doing so.  The Bible says it is appointed unto men “once to die and then the judgment.”  We will all depart this world via death should Jesus tarry His coming.

Paul addressed the reality of losing loved ones and friends in this passage; it has long been a comfort and encouragement to me.  He addressed our mortality and the Promise of the Lord to return for us.  He identified the scene of the Lord’s coming for those who are alive and remain. 

He tells us that the Lord will bring back those who have preceded us.  As He descends from heaven, He will shout with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and at that time, the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then those of us who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and that will begin our eternity with God.  He concludes by saying, “Comfort one another with these words.”

Mortality is a reality none of us can avoid.  You are not invincible in your mortal flesh.  Once you are born, you begin the process of dying.  You cannot change that.  You cannot take enough HGH or anti-aging creams, rubs, or pills to avoid the absolute eventuality of the end of your mortal existence on this planet. 

It Will Happen!  There is nothing that any of us can do to stop it.  What we can do is prepare for it spiritually and, if you so choose, financially for those you leave behind.  I have had friends who completely planned their memorial services, picked out their burial plots, and purchased their caskets.  I have largely done that.  Some have determined what clothes they would wear, and everything was settled long before they departed. 

Most of the loved ones in those situations have told me they appreciated it, but some have said they felt restricted in what they could do and the honor they could pay because of it.  That is a family thing, and I won’t touch it, but spiritual preparation is not an option. It is a requirement.  So, I do not hesitate to remind you that you are Mortal, and you should begin thinking about that reality today.  Today is the day of salvation!

May God be with you as you go through this day!