Once we get to our funerals, there are several things that are too late. Several things that are lost.
We cannot go back and make any changes.
Life is short. Life is precious. Life is heavy. And we must be ready.

Being ready means that we take time to consider the brevity, beauty and weight of life long before it is gone.

There are several things that need to be considered before we die.

Here are 3 questions to ask before your funeral (hopefully, way before your funeral):

1. WHO WILL BE THERE?
   -Will there be any young people at your funeral because you had invested in them?
   -Will there be any older people at your funeral because you were so respectful to them?
   -Will any of your co-workers attend your funeral?
   -Will any of your neighbors come to your funeral?
   -Will there be any diversity at your funeral?  Anybody from a different race? Any international people?
   -Who will be at your funeral?
2. WHAT WILL THEY SAY?
   -Will people speak about your interests or your interest in them?
   -Will people reminisce about the time they spent in your home?
   -Will people speak about how kind and loving you were?
   -Will people tell stories about that time you went out of your way to help them?
   -Will people recall how you sacrificed your time and energy for their sake?
   -Will people speak about the way your life impacted theirs?
   -Will anyone speak about how your faith in Christ impacted them?
   -Will anyone speak about how you faithfully prayed for them?
   -Will anyone tell about how they came to know God through their relationship with you?
3. WILL THEY KNOW WHERE YOU WENT?
   -Will people wonder whether you knew God or not?
   -Will people question if you were religious?
   -Will people be comforted knowing that you are in heaven?
   -Will people fear that you are in hell?
   -Will people be curious about whether you were a Christian or not?

 

I remember being a teenager when I began to see people wearing t-shirts that said ‘Ain’t Skeered.’ Then shortly after that I remember seeing guys put that same phrase on their vehicles’ rear windows. I always thought that was a little odd.

In my mind, boldly asserting not being scared is not necessary if you aren’t scared. Unless you are a little scared, then why feel the need to say it? But we will leave that conversation for another time.

Confidence in the face of fear is a better subject. It is needed. Honestly, we need to be able to find courage & strength in times we could and even should be afraid.

God speaks to this time and time again. The phrase “do not be afraid” is found nearly 40 times in the Bible. And numerous similar phrases are found throughout the whole Bible.

Think of God speaking to Israel/Jacob in Genesis 46 about their family going down into Egypt with Joseph: “Do not be afraid.”
Think of God commissioning Joshua in Joshua 1 to be the next leader of the people of Israel after Moses’ death: “Do not be frightened.”
Think of Jesus calling His first disciples in Luke 5 when he says to them: “Do not be afraid: from now on you will be catching men.”
Think of Jesus immediately after His resurrection in Matthew 28 when he says to Mary: “Do not be afraid; go and tell.”
Think of Paul in Acts 18 when God encourages him to continue speaking the truth: “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent.”

One of the resounding commands from God to His people throughout God’s word, and indeed throughout history, is Do Not Be Afraid! 

But life is hard and uncertain and heavy and troubling, and there are times when people are afraid. So where does the confidence to not be afraid come from when we are inclined to be afraid? Or what can we do when we are honestly afraid?

It comes from God. His presence. His being with us. God never tells us to not be afraid without also telling us why we shouldn’t be afraid. God never tells us to not be afraid without giving us a strong reason why we shouldn’t be afraid. And God will not tell us to not be afraid if we really and truly should be afraid. God can be trusted.

Listen to His words to Joshua in Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

When you know Jesus and His being with you, then your fears are handled much differently!

Be strong and courageous! Don’t be scared!