“Do It Differently; The End Is Near!”

“Do It Differently; The End Is Near!”(I Pt.4:7-11).
Here are some interesting questions which each one of us may have asked, either in jest or in earnest:
“If you knew you were going to die, what is the last thing you would do immediately before your death?” “If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do differently today?” “What would you do if you knew you were going to die soon?” “What would you do today if you knew you were going to die tomorrow?”
Serious discussion on death is a taboo to Africans; even when funerals have become weekend pastimes! But it is time we reflect deeply on how we would spend our last days on earth if we actually knew that exact day. I browsed the internet and got very intriguing answers to those questions above! And there are other questions of similar nature, like “What would be your regret if you knew you would die tomorrow?”
The irony of it all is that we are all conscious of our soon-to-be last day, but we do not stop planning for tomorrow, neither do we get engrossed in thinking about the futility of our mundane ambitions and quests.
It is said St. Francis of Assisi was weeding his garden when someone asked him what he would do if he knew he was about to die? “I will continue weeding my garden”, he replied.
Questions about preparedness when death comes should not embarrass us believers. Peter tells us what to do, even when we are about to transit from this dimension of life to rise to a higher plain.
He says, “The end of all things is near.” So what should we do differently? He says, we should “be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”
My friend, as it is, we can only speculate on the nearness of the last day which comes to us individually. Since we cannot foretell that very last day of ours, we should live each day as if it was our last day. As such we would constantly do as Scriptures say, without waiting to do it differently only when we know that tomorrow is our last day. “To God be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Weekend prayer: Lord Jesus Christ strengthen my resolve to live this day in loving service to others as if it was my last day on earth. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.