When Death Brushes Up Against You

TheDiscipleMd

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to purchase better auto insurance coverage after an accident has occurred.  It would be nice if all of us knew when we were going to have a mishap, so as to cover ourselves with the best policy available at the last-minute, thus saving us thousands of dollars in premiums. Alas none of us know when we will have an accident.

Similarly, none of us know when the ‘Grim Reaper will knock on our door. Like an auto policy, we cannot then change the coverage that will befall us regarding our eternal status.

“For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors…I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. (Alma 34: 32-33)

Recently I had a brush with death. That experience again reminded me that life is fragile. Many years ago I recall a savvy rising star in politics who suddenly came down with a terminal disease.  Prior to that time he was known in the political area, as rather ruthless in the manner in which he treated his opponents.  He had the reputation as one who would, “take advantage of his neighbor.”  With death knocking, he turned over a new leaf and sought peace with his fellow-man and with God. Knowing that the ‘night of darkness” is close at hand can do that to a person.  But, without passing personal judgment, I am inclined to agree with the words of Amulek. Said he:

“…that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.” In other words, a life of sin and riotous living is not easily turned around in a few months.

Who knows, this man might really have had a true change of heart. Or perhaps he was hedging his bet, as he had nothing to lose at that point. I will let the Lord be the judge.  But my experience has taught me that a man doesn’t turn on a ‘dime.’ It is of more surety to live our lives such that when the ‘night of darkness’ falls, we will be prepared because we have long before paid the price to get the most comprehensive and expensive insurance policy that can be found. That policy is found in the belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world and practicing his commandments that center on loving our fellow-man.

Let us have faith in the promises of the Lord as found in a most important document given to man called the scriptures.





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