We recently had a family member in Washington die of cancer at 41 years of age; we are going to his Memorial service this next week. This last week, a member of our church family died unexpectedly, and he was 41 years old as well. Another family in our church had their 58-year-old son die unexpectedly a couple of days ago. I have a good friend who owns and operates a mortuary, and he said that the number of people dying has gone up a lot in the last year, and a significant number of those deaths have been people under 45. We could have discussions on why that is happening, but it really doesn’t matter because we all are going to die, 100% of us. We tend to think that dying at 90 years of age is better than 45, but that is true only for the ones who get left behind because the person who died is in heaven, and that is a million times better than staying in this rotten world. I tell the Lord every night that I am ready to come to heaven whenever He is ready to take me; please don’t make me stay in this world too much longer.

I can pray that with confidence and enthusiasm for several reasons;

The first reason is that I believe I have a soul and am eternal. When I die, I will not just turn to dirt, and that is the end. God has put eternity in our hearts; we know that there is something beyond death. Some people who say that they believe that when we die, it is all over are saying that despite knowing in their hearts that it isn’t true because life beyond the grave scares them.

The second reason I am looking forward to dying and wanting it to happen sooner rather than later is because I believe in heaven: God’s home and mine for all eternity. Heaven is a real place that is beautiful, full of great things and great experiences, a place of infinite joy and happiness.

The third reason I ask God every night to take me home is because I know that no one is getting into heaven because they have been good or good enough; people get into heaven because God gives them citizenship there because of their faith and commitment to Jesus Christ. I have believed in the gospel and loved Jesus with all my heart, so I know, without a doubt, that I will live with him for all eternity. He knows me intimately, loves me beyond comprehension and wants me to be with Him forever. He loved me so much that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins; He took my place so that I could live with Him.