We have all heard this before – “Live with the end in mind; finish well, etc.” It is to live with the reality that departure from earth is an inevitable we must all face. The prophet Amos once thundered, “. . . prepare to meet your God , . . !” (Amos 4:12).
It wasn’t too long ago that Covid-19 derailed the normal processes of life in all areas – travel, work, window-shopping, enjoying coffee in coffee-shops, monthly stable income – and a host of other things that we took for granted. With the onset of the virus, many expressed philosophically on the need to take stock of our lives. There was a surge in spiritual interest. Some of the more popular FAQs on the Internet were that of the End Times, the Second Coming of Christ and Prayer.
But now that the world is slowly getting back on track, it is not surprising that many have thrown the wisdom of living a guarded life to the wind. On the other hand, we have all been reminded in various settings that Covid-19 will not be the last of issues that will upset our norm. Hence, the wisdom is still to ‘Prepare to meet your God’.
Daniel Webster, an American statesman of the 18th and 19th centuries boldly commented what remains to be plain in the 21st century –
‘The bed of death brings every human being to his pure individuality, to the intense contemplation of that deepest and most solemn of all relations – the relation between the creature and his Creator.’
The Bible puts it this way – “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27).
When the rubber hits the road, may we be found road worthy.
Richard Lai
