I’m not sure why, but it has been on my heart for weeks to post a poem about not being afraid of death. I hope that’s not an indication that I or anyone I know is going to die soon! 
I have to admit I have struggled with this, even in the years since becoming a Christian and being assured of where I would go. The way I heard it explained one time was that when it comes to die, God will give us the grace to do so. We don’t have the grace to do so now because it isn’t time yet. So I trust that when it is time, the grace for it will be there. Plus the biggest reluctance about death would be leaving family, not seeing kids grow up and grandkids. I know if anything happened to me the Lord would take care of them — it’s just that I want to be here to be a part of their lives. I think probably every parent feels that way.
This morning this poem and this post came to mind again, and then in my Daily Light devotional book, the morning reading for today was all about death and heaven.
Hmmm!
So, here is the poem I mentioned. It really ministered to my heart. According to one source, it was written by a missionary named E.H. Hamilton after he heard that his friend and colleague, Jack Vinson, had been martyred and had fearlessly told his captors that if they killed him, he would go straight to God.
Afraid? Of what?
To feel the spirit’s glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace,
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid? Of that?
Afraid? Of what?
Afraid to see the Saviour’s face,
To hear His welcome, and to trace,
The glory gleam from wounds of grace,
Afraid? Of that?
Afraid? Of what?
A flash – a crash – a pierced heart;
Brief darkness – Light – O Heaven’s art!
A wound of His a counterpart!
Afraid? Of that?
Afraid? Of what?
To enter into Heaven’s rest,
And yet to serve the Master blessed?
From service good to service best?
Afraid? Of that?
Afraid? Of what?
To do by death what life could not -
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid? Of that?
“If you knew what God knows about death,” wrote George MacDonald, “you would clap your listless hands.”
Let me stress, though, that only those who have trusted Christ as Savior and Lord can have that assurance and confidence. If you have not yet done so, would you do so today? You can read more about it here.
3 Comments
May 15, 2007 at 11:20 pm
What a wonderful poem…another one of yours I’d like to copy for my files! Thanks for sharing!! Blessings, Diane
May 16, 2007 at 1:10 am
This is a good one, Barbara. Like Diane, I’m going to save this poem and refer to it again.
January 25, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Barbara, I just read this. I saw this quote on another blog recently and thought it was so “right on” that I copied it and saved in. I just felt lead to share it with you today. Hope you enjoy it and that it speaks to your heart. It surely did mine!!!
“I think God has planned the strength and beauty of youth to be physical. But the strength and beauty of old age is spiritual. We gradually lose the strength and beauty that is temporary, so we’ll be sure to concentrate on the strength and beauty that is forever, and so we’ll be eager to leave the temporary, deteriorating part of us and be truly homesick for our eternal home. J. Robertson McQuilken”
Susan