Beginning and End

The brevity of life is a universal truth. All things, in this lifetime, come to an end. It is inevitable, and yet somehow we have been created such that the news of death comes as a shock to the system. The process of grief has been designed so remarkably because life on earth is so remarkable. The very scientific nature of waking, breathing, eating, walking and sleeping is remarkable. How much more remarkable is the nature of our social being? We build relationships, share moments and create memories with each other for the duration of our earthly course and perhaps this is why the absence of a human life is such a shock. Suddenly, a person ceases to exist in your social space and all you have are memories of the past - no relation in the present and no expectation of the future.

So, as I sit and reflect back on the life of a friend who tragically died at the beginning of a new year I am deeply saddened. But even amidst this sadness I am so grateful that God allowed our paths to cross in such a meaningful way. Going into the new year bearing this in mind, one can only learn to have a deeper appreciation for life and a greater longing for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Indeed, as a Christian I look forward to the day when "[God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4). On that day all will make sense. 

In loving memory of Johan van Huyssteen (22) (http://www.heraldlive.co.za/body-student-plunged-waterfall-found/)