“We all know this deal is as certain as death and taxes” (Meet Joe Black).
I personally do not have a problem with death itself. The phrase “We aren’t getting out alive,” has strangely brought me a certain level of comfort. It’s interesting to acknowledge that a Protestant upbringing has led most people to have a fear of death and yet a disconnect from the responsibility of what we leave behind. Revelation’s imagery has the potential to scare you and to simultaneously give you permission to not take responsibility for what we leave behind.
Regarding death, I may not fear it, but I certainly do think about dying. That topic does bring up doubt and fear. I have a mentor that put it in perspective like this. He said that he wants to live his life in such a way that he is becoming his best self, a self that is fully what God intended us to become. He imagines waking up in heaven and meeting the version of himself that is his best self and that there is very little difference between his best self and who he is. This really gives me permission to chase after all the potential and greatness that God packed into us. Forget death and chase life. The world needs our best, needs God’s best through us, and the fear of death doesn’t serve us in rising to that challenge. We must believe that if death is the end, then everything we do until then is us becoming all he created us to be. And that is glorious!
Regarding what is yet to come on this planet, we should never disconnect from the future. The idea of letting go of our responsibilities to our future generations of family and community, and flippantly using the excuse, “the Lord is returning,” is so absurd. God tells us that we will not know the hour of his return and to do business until he comes. His returning is a poor excuse for avoiding adult things, difficult things, or complicated decisions. Humanity has been included in the plan of all of God’s movements from the beginning. Why would we think we were left out of a role in the last chapters? We are dropping the ball on passing the legacy on. If God does not return before we die, what legacy are we giving our next generations? We are responsible. Whether we are talking financial, relationship, health, or spiritual legacy, what are we leaving as the foundation for the next generations if they too “have to do business till he returns”?
I found myself connecting with Erickson’s “Omega” image in a unique way. I am born in October, a libra, our astrological sign is the Scales of Balance. The Scales found right in the middle of the image remind me that life is balance, and we are part of the balance of this story. While the banner across the Lamb’s eyes reads “and is yet to come,” my brain automatically added “the Best” to create “The Best is Yet to Come.” If we are bringing our best, developing into our best selves and expecting that “the best is yet to come,” how could we not look to the future with anything other than hope and joyful expectation and hold a sense of pride for not giving in to the fear of death but embracing an amazing life, while planning the future.
Shannon Vielmann is a La Sierra University alum, wife, mother of two, and business owner.