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I laughed out loud. Like, literally LOL-ed, which is rare, given that I am not frequently prone to outbursts of levity. But, in that moment, I was powerless. There it was, in large letters carved into the granite face, the name, “MOWERY.”
I continued laughing as we pulled into the parking lot of the small country church in rural Lancaster County and prepared to make our way inside. If I believed in omens, perhaps I would have experienced a flood of second thoughts and self-doubt, an inundation of worry and dread. Fortunately, omens are like pixies, centaurs, and the moon landing, so I was in the clear.
Tomorrow, surrounded by family and friends, I would be marrying the unbelievable woman with whom I am still so enchanted. Tomorrow, we would join our hands, join our hearts, and join our lives together. Tomorrow, she would take my name.
And therein lay the humor. Like the scene from The Office finale in which Dwight and Angela exchange their vows whilst standing in their graves, we would be exchanging our vows in a church where stood, proudly displayed on the largest monument and prominently placed in the front corner of the adjoining cemetery, an unavoidable tombstone emblazoned with our last name.
The irony was not lost on me. We were pledging our lives — committing to love, honor, cherish, to forgive as Christ has forgiven us — for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, until death do we part. Not until a bad day. Not until we have differences of opinion. Not until we face seemingly-insurmountable pain and turmoil. We were vowing to rest in each other’s arms “until the Lord bids us rest in His.” One day, we, too, will be buried beneath a headstone with that same last name.
Our mortality is as real as the flesh upon our bones. Death comes for us all, and the grave is inescapable. But it is not the end.
Beginning with the end in mind
We don’t enjoy thinking about death. In our human frailty, we shudder at the finality it represents, and our hearts break at the sorrow which inevitably accompanies it. Life is gone. Our time on earth has passed. Our finiteness has been irrevocably demonstrated.
So, if death is the immutable law of life, what, then, is the purpose of life? Ah, therein lies the joy.
Death is the finish line in our individualized races with time. The length of that race varies for each of us, and we know not when we shall complete it. We are never guaranteed tomorrow or even a subsequent breath. When we are young, it is easy to view death as a distant shadow, a myth we may never actually encounter. But the reality is that time waits for no man, and each moment lived is a moment closer to the end.
Knowing what the end result will be, we are left at a crossroads, a point of existential crisis at which we each make a choice, whether consciously or otherwise. What will we do in our time remaining?
For some, they view this as liberty for hedonism in its various forms, living each day for the temporal fulfillment of the present. For others, the choice is pursuit of long-term earthly passions with material goals or self-aggrandizing aspirations in an effort to collect the most proverbial trophies when their time comes. Some choose to ignore the inevitable and go about their lives as normal, but even those who believe they have made no choice have already done so by default.
Yet, none of these are the complete picture, as all fail to capture the full breadth of what it means to live with the end in mind. We must recognize that while the choices of hedonism, material pursuit, or simple inattention to our fate offer temporary distractions, they miss the profound truth that every moment is charged with eternal significance.
Embracing an Eternal Perspective
When we accept that death is inevitable, it forces us to shift our focus from the immediate and the transient to the everlasting. This isn’t merely a call to avoid self-indulgence or to live in a state of constant solemnity—it is an invitation to live more fully and more purposefully. Every decision, every interaction, carries the weight of eternity. By remembering that our final destination is not merely the grave but an eternal realm, we come to see that the time we have is not wasted on trivial pursuits. Instead, it becomes a precious opportunity to build a legacy that outlasts our mortal existence.
Understanding that our story continues beyond the moment of death gives our actions a deeper dimension. It challenges us to question our priorities: Are we investing our time in pursuits that will fade, or are we nurturing relationships and values that will echo into eternity? The eternal perspective isn’t a morbid fixation—it is a liberating lens through which to view life. It reveals that each act of kindness, every word of encouragement, every sacrifice made for the sake of others, is not lost in the void of oblivion but is recorded in the eternal ledger of our lives.
The Dual Destinies: Heaven and Hell
This eternal perspective carries with it the stark reality of two final outcomes. Scripture teaches that our choices determine not just our earthly lives, but also our ultimate destiny—be it in the joy of Heaven or the despair of separation from God. This isn’t meant to instill fear, but rather to emphasize the magnitude of the stakes involved. Heaven represents the fulfillment of every promise made by a loving God—a place of eternal communion, peace, and joy. Hell, on the other hand, stands as a sobering reminder that the rejection of that love leads to an existence devoid of hope.
In light of these eternal destinies, every choice matters. The everyday decisions we make—how we treat a friend, how we respond to a stranger in need, how we share our time and resources—become acts that either point us toward the light or away from it. When we see others as fellow souls in need on this fragile journey, each with an end that mirrors our own, our hearts are moved to act with compassion and urgency. We begin to understand that the time to make a difference is now.
Living for Christ: Reaching Out While We’re Here
For those who have embraced the message of Christ, the reality of our mortality is transformed into a call for proactive ministry. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate testimonies to the fact that earthly death is not the ultimate end. His example challenges us to live in a way that reflects the hope of resurrection and the promise of eternal life. This means that our faith must be both personal and public—a belief that compels us to engage actively with the world around us.
Living for Christ in light of our finite existence means sharing the love, forgiveness, and hope we have received. It means engaging in acts of service, extending compassion to those who are hurting, and offering the transformative message of salvation. The urgency of our limited time pushes us to break free from the paralysis of indifference. It reminds us that every conversation, every act of kindness, is an opportunity to point someone toward the eternal grace that is available to all.
Consider the practical implications: a simple conversation with a neighbor, a genuine smile offered to a passerby, or the willingness to lend an ear to a troubled soul can plant the seeds of hope. In each of these moments, the eternal and the temporal intersect. Our earthly encounters are not insignificant; they are the building blocks of spreading the news of Salvation, creating a spiritual legacy that can last far beyond our own lives.
A Legacy of Impact and Compassion
The idea that our stories continue past the final breath transforms our understanding of legacy. Rather than measuring success by material accumulation or fleeting accolades, we are called to consider the depth of our impact on others. True legacy is found in the lives we touch, the hearts we mend, and the hope we inspire. It is reflected in the quiet, persistent acts of love that ripple outward into the community and, ultimately, into eternity.
Imagine a life where every action is imbued with purpose—a life where the mundane becomes sacred because it contributes to a larger, eternal narrative. This perspective calls us to live intentionally, to invest in relationships and to work for the rescuing of those around us. It reminds us that even in our imperfections and failures, there is an opportunity to reflect the love of Christ. By extending grace to others, we not only heal wounds but also build bridges that span the chasms of despair.
Navigating Life’s Challenges with Hope
It is important to recognize that living with the end in mind does not eliminate pain or hardship. On the contrary, life’s challenges—loss, disappointment, and suffering—are part of our shared human experience. However, when we anchor our lives in eternal life through Christ, these hardships take on a different meaning. The struggles we face are not seen as insurmountable obstacles but as opportunities for growth, resilience, and deeper reliance on God’s grace.
When sorrow and grief emerge, the hope of eternity offers comfort. It reassures us that while the body may perish, the soul endures in the presence of a loving God. This hope transforms our perspective on loss, allowing us to grieve without succumbing to despair. It also empowers us to support others in their times of need, knowing that our compassionate actions are investments in an eternal community of care.
The Enduring Vow: “Til Death Do We Part”
That granite inscription was our first, unignorable reminder of life’s fleeting nature. Yes, it was comical, yet it also quietly spoke to a deeper truth. The phrase “til death do we part” isn’t confined to wedding vows alone. It encapsulates every aspect of life, urging us to live deliberately because our time is limited.
This promise challenges us to invest in what truly matters. It reminds us that every act of kindness, every sincere conversation, and every moment of compassion carries eternal weight. When we keep our eyes on the inevitable end, we learn to choose wisely, letting our actions speak louder than mere earthly pursuits.
Instead of being overwhelmed by the finality of earthly death, we are invited to see it as a catalyst—a call to shape a legacy that outlasts our earthly days. Every promise we honor, every bond we nurture, and every sacrifice we make is a step toward something enduring. It’s a pledge to transform our finite moments into contributions that ripple through time. And every soul we impact for Christ is a soul saved from eternal death.
By embracing this vow, we don’t just acknowledge our end; we celebrate every moment leading up to it. We choose to create a legacy defined not by the brevity of life, but by the enduring impact of our actions and the love we share.
