Tue. Dec 24th, 2024

Life is so fragile. I woke up this morning reading the tragic news about one couple, missionary friends from the US who had a car accident and went to be with the Lord. Few weeks ago, we also received a report that a Korean missionary family of 6 members had a tragic accident on their way north of Cambodia.Their vehicle had a head-on collision with a tourist bus. The couple died with their 2 children, 1 had her arm amputated and was sent back to their homeland with another surviving sibling. Life is so fragile.

Life is short. It’s like a mist that passes by. A person maybe here now and gone the next day, minute, second or in a twinkling of an eye. With a perspective like this, we can look at life differently as something so valuable and should not be wasted. Every minute of every day should be considered as an opportunity to make the most of it, to enjoy it, to share it with the people we love, to appreciate it and be thankful to the One who gave it. Our time in this world is temporary, fleeting and brief. Each day that is given to us is a gift and each day that has gone cannot be brought back.

Life is a gift from God. How we live it is our gift back to God. We were created for a purpose, we’re not here by accident. There is a reason for our existence. We are here for a greater purpose and a higher reason. Unless we realize this, our lives will be dull, boring, meaningless, a chasing after the wind as the book of Proverbs keep on reiterating.

Life in this side of eternity is fragile. But God’s design and desire is for us to have life unending, eternal. Death is not God’s original plan for mankind. He created us to live with Him throughout eternity. In creation He breathed into man the breathe of life and man became alive. But because of sin, death entered and man died. Since then, all mankind succumb to this life’s interruption called death. But the story doesn’t end that way. The good news is, death has been conquered.

Hearing news about death, and especially tragic death just like what I mentioned above, can cause so much sorrow in our hearts and more questions in our minds. But there are verses in the Bible that inspire and give hope when talking about death. It came from the mouth of the One who overcame death Himself and by His powerful words commanded the dead man back to life again. John 11:25-26, Jesus said to Martha, the sister of the dead man Lazarus, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Life is indeed fragile. You are here now. You may be gone tomorrow. But those who have faith in Jesus, death is not the end of life. For He promised that those who believe in Him, though they die, they will continue to live. And those who are alive and have believed in Him will never die – there is what we call the Rapture of the believers when Jesus comes again. But what about those who died already? There is also the upcoming resurrection of the dead back to life. By then, life is not fragile anymore. And there will be no more death. Now let me ask you my friend and dear reader, do you believe this? If yes, well and good. If not, I’m encouraging you to read God’s Word, believe in Jesus – the resurrection and the life. Trust Him now, tomorrow may be late.

By Rommel Atanque

Rommel Santiago Atanque is an entrepreneur by profession and a Pastor/Missionary by calling and passion. He loves to inspire his readers and let them realize that in every trial there is a purpose; in every test a testimony; and with the right perspective in life, one can still be happy every single day! He also authored the Live a Happy Life Books. A series of humorous books that make a lot of sense. He also shares the Gospel in today's context and lets God's Word bring joy and laughter to his hearers. He wants them to know that listening to sermons is not boring much less an antidote for sleeplessness. Married for 22 years to Jeralyn Ortiz Palabrica-Atanque with two teenagers Roj Gabriel 18, and Lyl Mikael 16. They had been missionaries in Cambodia for 7 years and are currently based in Iloilo City, Philippines, pastoring Connect Church.