None of us can know when or how death will come.  If the Lord tarries long, then death is a certainty for all of us, yet many things about death are uncertain.  Even so, we can prepare for death by making it our ambition to please the Lord at all times so that we will be ready to stand before Him in judgment (2Cor. 5:9-10).

One way to help you prepare for the inevitable end of life on earth is to consider how your life will look to you when viewed from the end.  Imagine looking back on your life as you stand on the threshold of death.  What will you say about the way you have lived?  Will you have any regrets?  Will you wish you could change the choices you have made?

To gain a proper perspective on your life, consider some things that you will never say when your life draws to a close.  You will never say:

• I rejoiced too much.  We are commanded to rejoice always in the Lord, so you cannot have too much joy over your salvation in Jesus (Phil. 4:4; 1Thess. 5:16).
• I prayed too much.  We are to "pray without ceasing” (1Thess. 5:17).  You will never waste a moment spent in earnest prayer to God.
• I gave too much.  The praise and thanksgiving given to God because of your generosity will be worth every sacrifice you make for others (Matt. 5:16; 2Cor. 8:1-5; 9:6-14).
• I studied too much.  Every hour spent in the study of God’s word will give you greater understanding of your God and His will and will enable you to grow in His grace and knowledge (2Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17; 1Pet. 2:1-2).
• I loved too much.  There is no such thing as too much love for your God, your family, your fellow Christians, or your fellow men.  Love is the most excellent, unfailing, unceasing, ever-abiding way of God (1Cor. 13; 1John 3:16-18; 4:7-21).
• I worked too much for the Lord.  God will richly reward your labors done in His name, and you will never be sorry that you worked for the Lord (1Cor. 15:58).
• I was too faithful to my spouse.  No one will ever regret marital fidelity, for it brings glory to God and makes for a happy life (Prov. 5:1-23; 6:20-35; 7:1-27; Eph. 5:22-33).
• I spent too much time with my children.  Children are a gift, a heritage, and an inheritance from God to parents (Ps. 127:3-5).  You will be glad for every moment spent with your precious treasures from God.
• I didn’t sin enough.  There will be no regret for temptations that are overcome, but sins that are unforgiven will lead to eternal regret (Jas. 1:14-15).
• I didn’t waste enough time.  Life on earth is time, and no one wants to waste life.  It is your responsibility to make the best use of the brief time you have (Eph. 5:16; Jas. 4:14).
• I didn’t have enough stuff.  You cannot take the wealth of this world with you, and it will do you no good when your life is over (Ps. 39:6; 49:10; Eccl. 2:18; 5:15-16; Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 12:16-21; 18:18-27).
• I didn’t take on enough debt.  Debt is a curse and a form of slavery, and no man will ever regret having stayed out of debt (Lev. 25:39, 47; Neh. 5:5; Prov. 6:1-5; 22:7; Rom. 13:8).

Certainly, there are many more similar things that you will never say at the end of life, but understand the benefit of thinking about these things while you are still alive.  If you see the truth of these things while you are still living, then let them shape your life now so that you will have no regrets in the end.  The Scripture says, "…the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.  It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart” (Eccl. 7:1-2).  By thinking on these things, you have viewed the day of your own death and considered your own end, so take it to heart now while there is still time to make a difference in your life.

Stacey E. Durham