Only two things are certain...

I was slightly amused by one of the reports in this morning's BBC news bulletin. The report highlighted some recent research into the effects of eating red meat. According to the report, eating more than a certain quantity of red meat can significantly "increase the chances of death". It was only a few weeks ago that another BBC report told us that taking a certain sleeping pill could also increase the chance of death!

The reporters obviously hadn't fully thought through what they were saying. If they had done, they would have realised that nothing can increase (or decrease) our chances of death happening (though some things may influence the time when our death occurs). As Benjamin Franklin famously write, 'In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.' The truth is that sooner or later we must all face the end of our earthly lives.

My mother-in-law has had breast cancer for some years. Because she is in her 80s, and has taken medication, the cancer has developed very slowly. However, she was told recently, following a scan, that the cancer has spread to her bones. She is currently in hospital, but is hoping to be home soon.

She has taken the news remarkably well. She doesn't know how much longer she has on earth, but she is not afraid of death. In a short time, Easter will be with us. On Good Friday we will focus on the death of Jesus. When he died, his disciples were distraught; all their hopes seemed to be in tatters. Yet three days later he was alive again: death was conquered. And the good news is that if our trust is in him, and our lives are committed to him, we too can share in the assurance of life beyond death.

For the Christian believer, death is not something to fear; it is merely a doorway into a new life in the presence of God, a life free from tears and sadness, sorrow and pain. We are all sure to die one day. The only question is: where does our eternal future lie?