Ecclesiastes 7:2

It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart.

     Just recently, I went to a viewing of a lady who had passed away. I had spent some time with her, but we were not all that close. Even with the emotional armor that distance can sometimes bring in such situations, it was a very sobering experience. I was amazed to look at her. She was almost unrecognizable. This was not due to some major injury, but because it was obvious that her spirit was no longer there. All that was left was just the physical encasing that had been carrying it. As I viewed her body, I realized I was not really looking at her at all.

     This somber occasion caused the words of the preacher (Eccl. 1:1) to echo in my mind. I realized that it was good for me to be here contemplating these thoughts. First, as I said above, it was amazing to me to realize that she was not just there. So many times in our lives we define ourselves by our outward appearance. We focus on it, trying to base our happiness on how we look. Yet in a few years, we will leave this fleshly vessel. Instead, what should we be focusing on and defining ourselves by?

     It was also important to spend time contemplating that her fate was sealed. She had made a life time of choices, and those choices determined her relationship with God. Wherever she was is where she is now. There is no second chance. There is also no squandering. We need to prepare ourselves for such a day. How will our next choice affect our relationship with God? Will it push Him away? Or bring Him closer? We always expect there to be a tomorrow. In many ways we feel immortal, as if we will never die. Yet all men die. Are we ready? If that day were today, would we be satisfied with our relationship with God? If not, we must diligently strive to make it so.

It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart.