I glanced over the obituary column for an online newspaper to see if anyone I knew had passed away. It isn’t likely I would personally know them, with such a small space allotted to deaths. I noticed they labeled it “Notable Deaths.” Do they consider the other 150,000 people who died that day not notable? Probably not, but their readers aren’t really interested in who died, unless they are family, friends or really famous people. As an additional slap against the “not notable people” some names stay on that list for more than one day.
Being on that exclusive list might be meaningful to some people, but not those who have died. They have more important things on their mind. They are beginning an eternity of indescribable joy or unimaginable torment. That list doesn’t matter at all in light of eternity. If honors don’t matter after you die, why do they matter so much when we are alive? I understand it is a way of keeping score, but the only winners are in Heaven and that is a gift.
I don’t mean to seem disrespectful. There is nothing wrong with a nice write up about our loved ones in a less exclusive place, like the community newspaper. It is an opportunity to show what the person did with their life and to be an encouragement to those who are left behind. The write-up isn’t for the deceased. You can neither help nor hurt them.
If death is so final, and the obituary so unimportant, what is the point of this story? We need to change our focus from the dead to the living. By the time a name shows up on the obituary, they are beyond our reach. If you want to cry for someone, cry for the living! Your heartfelt tears might touch their heart and make a difference.
Don’t dwell on those who are gone, but turn your attention to the ones still with us. Maybe grieving loved ones will listen to a message of hope. Be gentle, but don’t waste the opportunity. Don’t let them agonize over what they might have done for the deceased, but point them toward what they can do for the living! While they are pointing their loved ones to JESUS, He will change their hearts too! If their loved one was saved, you can reassure them of the joy of Heaven. Encourage them to consider their own eternity, so they can see their loved one again. Each of us must accept JESUS for ourselves and the passing of loved ones reminds us, this life will come to an end.
During their time of loss, you can let them know how much JESUS loves them. Be sure to tell them “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). That explains it all and the WORD has power to change hearts and lives! They still have a chance to accept JESUS as long as they are alive!
Wayne Lance