Death and Life

My friend’s grandaunt passed away. My dad messaged me in the late afternoon, asking me to go and help play the guitar. Musician or not, I had to go… Left work on time, took the train to KL Sentral, waited at Platform 6 for the train that would take me to Mid Valley, the place where I’ll meet my mom. Almost 2 hours later I see her and we managed to get to the funeral on time.

Despite my young age, I’ve attended many funerals… And last night, I attended the most respectful funeral ever. Everyone was sober, quiet, and respectful. It was really a funeral.

As everyone settled down and found their seat, I stood beside my father – the service coordinator. And just beside both of us was the open coffin. Now, I never really liked to see someone’s dead body. I think it’s an anointing… but the atmosphere in that small hall was so serene, and the peace rubbed into me. Boldly I stood side by side the man I consider a gift and a partner in the Kingdom-building work, and I gave my best.

Then the Dream-Giver slipped something into my senses… He always does that sort of thing. He’s just so creative and understanding – He knows the right way to communicate to each individual. That’s why I have faith in this Dream-Giver… anyway…

I’m not sure what it was, but as I strummed that 6-stringed object, I thought I smelled the stench of death. Then dad spoke:

“Do you know who the most alive person in this room?”

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”

“In the presence of the Lord, there is fullness of joy”

Dear Dream-Giver,
Thank you for reminding me that dying to my self and denying the desires of the flesh is a joy. I know that sin separates us. I know that sin leads to death, but your ways are everlasting. Help me overcome sin, that Your original-me may come alive again. Help me die to myself a little bit more everyday. It’s not easy or comfortable, and I may be unattractive to the masses. But I believe that it’s only temporary, and that joy comes in the morning. As I decrease, I know that You’ll increase. Let Your dreams and Your life live in me. Thank you once again…

(New International Version)

Luke 9:23-25
23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

2 Corinthians 5:14-15
14For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.


(The Message)

Luke 9:23-25
23Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat--I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. 24Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. 25What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?

2 Corinthians 5:14-15
14Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do. Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. 15He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.