Taking Our Destiny to Heart

Peggy and I attended a funeral last Friday. It was a celebration of one whose eternal life began years ago upon hearing and receiving the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. His new life in Christ was a fruitful one, for he eagerly shared the gospel as opportunities presented, and diligently interceded for the needs of others. His death in Christ marked his continuation in Christ, and his funeral testified to the faithfulness of Christ in his life. He could have just as easily uttered these familiar words of the apostle Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”¹ Having once lived by faith, our friend now lives by sight.

“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart,”² observed Solomon. His words may sound a bit macabre, but I have to agree with Israel’s king, for in the “house of mourning” we see the larger picture of life. Our fondest family memories and our deepest relational regrets, they surface here most clearly. While we rejoice in our loved one’s release from suffering, we suffer a newfound pain of our own. And amid the assorted pictures of the past and the widely ranging emotions in the present, the house of mourning points forward to our destiny. The reality of where we are going meets us right where we are, and taking it to heart is a highly individual thing. During our friend’s funeral, I found myself thinking, “If in death I will see Jesus face to face, I’d do well to open wide my relationship with Him right now.” What does this look like to me? Pray much. Pray boldly. Trust His love. Read His Word. Hear His voice. Obey His instruction. Enjoy His presence.

Then where does “taking this destiny to heart” lead you? Are you uncertain about your salvation? Now is the time to receive and rest in this gift the Father offers you through the death and resurrection of His Son. Still struggling with past sins? Let the Word speak forgiveness to you. Are you searching for your Kingdom purpose here on earth? Seek the Spirit and follow Him into the “good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”³ Take your destiny to heart: align your life today with your ultimate tomorrow. And rejoice, for in Christ, life continues beyond death’s door.

Father, in truth, keep us mindful that our destiny awaits us; in love, lead us in purposeful and effective lives; in grace, keep us in Christ, who has been raised to life forever. In Him we pray. Amen.

¹ Galatians 2:20
² Ecclesiastes 7:2 NIV
³ Ephesians 2:10