ARE YOU READY TO SAY GOODBYE?
- Michael Gullatte
- 23 minutes ago
- 4 min read
I think we can all agree that death is a serious topic that no one really wants to talk or think about. Most of us would like to imagine a life that doesn't include death - the death of loved ones, the death of our closest friends or even the death of our pets. However, one of the only things that each human on earth has in common is the fact that we will all die one day.
A few days ago, I too was reminded of this sobering reality when I found out that my grandmother had passed. Filled with regret and hypothetical what ifs, I began to slow down and think more about life and what we base our life decisions on. My grandma had spent so much of her life pouring into the lives of others by simple acts of kindness or conjuring up homemade remedies for our colds and sore throats.
Unfortunately, the sad reality is that her sacrifice and commitment to the family wasn’t reciprocated back to her. No matter how many people in the family she had impacted, towards the end of her life not many people were present, including myself.
I find myself thinking, “What more could I have done?”
No matter how unfortunate this is, the reality is that many families are being torn apart due to people having similar feelings — not feeling loved or accepted by the people that are closest to them.
Statistics show that a majority of the people that end up behind bars come from broken families. If we are willing to take time and do some research, we will see that from the opioid crisis to pornography to gangs, most of the individuals are suffering from the same root cause: a lack of family and a lack of acceptance.
All over the planet children, moms, dads and grandmas are crying out for their loved ones to love them. Some are voicing their frustrations while others have turned to alcohol, drugs and other toxic outlets to help them pretend that the problem doesn’t exist.
My dad told me he remembers a time when families would be together every weekend embracing one another. And I began to think to myself, “How did we end up here?”
Diving deeper into this, I started to realize that it was our own self interests that slowly divided our families. It was the pursuit of the American dream that has actually brought nightmares to the majority of our family dynamics. The truth is that in order for us to come together as a family, it would have to be done by each of us denying our own interests and selfish ambitions and thinking about the bigger picture — which simply isn’t possible without Jesus Christ.
“24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].” Matthew 16:24 AMPC
Allowing the example and standard of Jesus to shine within us is what compels us to put those selfish desires to the side.
“20 I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 AMPC
The Bible gives us a clear example of what the family (body) of Christ looks like in Acts. We see a large group of people putting their selfish ambitions and interests to the side in order to fit into perfect harmony and make up a family.
“41 Therefore those who accepted and welcomed his message were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls. 42 And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord’s Supper] and prayers. 43 And a sense of awe (reverential fear) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles (the special messengers). 44 And all who believed (who adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus Christ) were united and [together] they had everything in common; 45 And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need. 46 And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord’s Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts,” Acts 2:41-46 AMPC
These type of people are actually the people that Jesus considered to be His family — The people who were willing to put their own personal desires and ambitions to the side for Him.
“46 Jesus was still speaking to the people when behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to Him. 47 Someone said to Him, Listen! Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to You. 48 But He replied to the man who told Him, Who is My mother, and who are My brothers? 49 And stretching out His hand toward [not only the twelve disciples but all] His adherents, He said, Here are My mother and My brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother!” Matthew 12:46-50 AMPC
The reality is that a family will always be divided outside of Christ. It is the commitment to Christ that will keep marriages together. It is also that same commitment to Christ that will compel us to put others first. In Christ we experience true family, not because we are perfect, but because we are committed to pursuing someone who exemplifies perfection.
Unfortunately the reality is that death does bring families together but by committing to dying to ourselves and allowing someone greater to live through us; we do have a true chance at unity while we are all still breathing.
Question of the Day: Are you living to die or dying to live?