Why Death?

Let’s clear something up from the get-go… Life isn’t fair!

I cannot tell you how many times I heard that from my dad growing up. Like a mantra. I vowed I would never use that same phrase on my kiddos. Do you think I kept that promise? Nope.

Even if I had never said it to them, my children know that life isn’t fair. That doesn’t stop me from saying it, many times over. In fact, I’m not one to make sure that the scales stay completely balanced when it comes to birthday or Christmas gifts, money spent, or unexpected surprises for each of them. There is no equity in life. Better to learn it early on. I fully realize that many may disagree, and I’m fine with that!

I’m thankful my dad said it over and over again. It taught me to check my “rights” and “expectations” pretty early in life, though I’m not certain I could have explained that to you at the time. Since those early days of childhood, I have seen time and time again how unfair life can be. Some might say that it’s cruel. Difference is, I now see it through a completely different lens.

All who follow Christ are very familiar with the verses from Matthew, Mark, and Luke that declare anyone who desires to follow Jesus must “deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow.” The idea here is death.

Stated another way in each of the Gospels is, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:35, ESV). Death is at the heart of the gospel. Christ’s death on the cross. Death to sin. My death to self, for His sake. Though death was defeated once for all, for me, there is a reason Jesus also tells us to pick up our cross daily.

A thousand little deaths.

This has taken so many shapes and forms in my life over the years. Sometimes I do so with great joy; sometimes with great sorrow. Sometimes I gladly release whatever is in my grip; sometimes I look like a toddler screaming and crying and clinging to what is in my hand. Sometimes I take up my cross and follow with no questions asked; sometimes I want all the answers.

Regardless, I die time and time again.

My hopes.

My plans.

My expectations.

My agenda.

My rights.

My dreams.

My fears.

One by one, I lay them down. Big and small. And I’m sure there will be a thousand more little deaths along the way. For, it’s not about me. It’s about Him. The only equity to be found in this life is at the foot of the cross. Where we all must die. It’s there that we all find LIFE, in Him alone.