By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

[One of the most common fears I picked up amongst our readers is death. What awaits us when we die? Can we be sure of our destination? And what about our unbelieving family members or friends?]

Growing up in the Free State, an annual highlight for my brother, sister and I was the Bloemfontein Rainbow Show. Not so much the stands during the day as the amusement park at sunset. There we were fortunate to ride on the bumping cars, shells and even the large boat swinging back and forth. The favorite was the train. Four people would sit in the cart that followed a route on the tracks with steep climbs, unexpected turns and quick descents. The last part of the route usually caused riders to scream and hold on for dear life as the cart took a nosedive on a steep downhill before it stopped at the end.

Now, can you imagine the shock and horror you would experience if you were sitting in the front of a cart and while realizing that its brakes had failed and with the cart picking up speed, you see another cart in front of you and realize that a collision with it would be unavoidable? This is what happened at the Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire, England. Not only were the passengers in the front of the cart seriously injured in the collision; a young girl lost a leg.

On earth, we are also a “cart” on a route as the train in the amusement park. Sometimes we experience steep climbs in our lives, other times unexpected turns and also quick descents. Because God created us with a free will, we can choose to either make Him a part of our journey or we can tackle it alone. The difference is that if He is a part of our lives, on our dying day (when the ride ends), we can be sure to walk into His presence for eternity. This in comparison to a journey without Him that will end like the one at Alton Towers in a disaster when we enter eternity without Him.

Can we be sure of a life after death? In John 11:25 Jesus speaks to Martha after she told him that her brother Lazarus would still have been alive if Jesus came earlier: “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”

What should we do to inherit eternal life? We must confess our sins and accept Jesus Christ as Savior. In Romans 10:9 we read: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

What about our unbelieving loved ones? In 2 Corinthians 3:14 we read that the enemy covers unbelievers’ eyes with a veil so they do not experience the truth or do not want to accept it. Think of all the fruitless conversations you have had with your unbelieving loved ones. In the same way God will not force you to serve Him, you cannot force your husband, wife, children or friends to choose Him - even though it might be hard. What you can do is pray, because there is great power in prayer. In the end, it is the Holy Spirit that softens hearts and creates opportunities for the veil to be lifted so your loved ones will see the truth.

Let’s move fearlessly forward towards our destination – eternity with God. And let us continue to pray for our loved ones while trusting God to help us live a life that reflects His character, so they too would desire to follow us towards heaven. God bless.

PRAYER IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY:
Father God, I come to you in the Name of Jesus Christ. I realize that I'm on my own as a sinner. I choose today to make Jesus Christ the Savior of my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and guide me every day to build a stronger relationship with you. I pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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