We are all getting older; none of us will escape death. Are you prepared – personally and on behalf of your family? In this short series I will try to help you by addressing some of the implications both for you personally and also for your family. The first will have a strong spiritual dimension, the remainder will be very practical.
Prepared personally
Probably, like me, you occasionally ask yourself such questions as ‘When I die 
where will I be?’ and ‘What will I be doing?’ These are two questions that David and Gill Oliver asked themselves when their son, Joel, died of cancer in his late thirties. He had been a best friend to them and it was natural for them, in their grief, to ask such questions. In their search for answers David wrote the very helpful and accessible book ‘All about Heaven’
. I strongly recommend it. Now, more recently, he and Gill have started travelling to churches to share a presentation about what they have learned and to help others find answers to these questions. If you wish to invite them, contact their administrator here.
I have found that facing up to the reality of death and making some preparations have really helped bring peace and a sense of joy and anticipation, not that I am urgent to leave this life! But I am reminded of Paul’s sentiment in his letter to the Philippians 1:18-26 which includes ‘for me to live is Christ and to die is gain’. Obviously, it is good to live here on earth; I am enjoying life. Isn’t it wonderful then to know that there is even better to come? Running through these verses is also a sense of anticipated joy, a sentiment echoed in Heb 12:1-2:
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
So let us run well, looking to him.
We’ve been here before
Twelve months ago I posted a blog ‘Are you prepared for death?’ I am returning to this subject because, as has become my habit, I have started the New Year with two activities: a) reviewing the past year and looking forward, and b) updating my affairs so that, when the time comes for me to go to be with Jesus, my family find it as easy as possible to handle the practicalities. As I was doing the latter I felt I had more to say that could help other people, hence returning to this topic. But first, please read that post – it sets the scene. What I have to say now will expand on what I said then.
It applies to everyone
This short series applies to everyone whatever the age, not only those in the ‘home straight’. In addition to pointing you to resources I will share some of the steps I personally have taken. It is never too soon to begin. My wife and I wrote our first wills when our son was born – well over 50 years ago! We have regularly updated them ever since. So please don’t put it off.
The spiritual and eternal dimension
I have already touched on what happens to us, personally, and do not plan to write more at length. I am assuming that you, as the reader, have already experienced salvation with the confidence of eternal life but, if not, may I encourage you to explore faith through an Alpha Course that will be taking place somewhere near you? You can find where one is taking place or view it online here.
Let me also point you towards two other resources. During the past year my church invited John Hosier to speak on Heaven and Hell. These two sermons were very life-giving – yes, even the one on Hell! – and can be accessed here.
A further resource is ‘Set your house in order’ by Mark Lloydbottom of Your Money Counts. This is free and downloadable for personal or group study, presenting very practical guidance in the framework of scripture.
So, you now have some homework! Next time I will start to address some practical steps to help your family and executors