Death Gives New Depth of Life with God

There's almost a deeper dimension of relationship we gain with the Lord that simultaneously withdraws us from the shallow and fleeting worries of the world.

Mama said there's only so much fortune a man really needs, and the rest is just for showing off.

Forrest Gump

I love that movie not just because Tom and Sally deliver brilliant performances, but because of the purity and innocence with which Forrest views the world. Even in the midst of deep brokenness, like when Jenny is at her lowest, singing on stage as a showgirl, Forrest sees only that her dream of singing live has come true. Despite the horrors Jenny endured from her abusive father, Forrest only saw physical affection and love. There's this beautiful layer of protection around him that shields him from the harshness and darkness of the world.

I’m not suggesting that ignorance is always bliss, because it definitely isn’t. I actually believe our generation has become quite proficient at toxic positivity—where people witness harm and still choose to stay silent, refusing to help or even speak up to get the help that’s needed. They quickly scroll past posts about sickness, hunger, bombings, war, and more, stopping only on food or travel content to 'maintain the positivity’.

I am suggesting that there is a balance of simplicity to be found in how to live, allowing us to take God’s generosity and direct it all towards real needs in our world: investing in what helps bring forth God’s kingdom. I can think of no event in life that shocked me more into this awakening than death. When you experience it, it’s as if a layer of life’s distractions is ripped off and your understanding of life as a gift gains clarity. The fragility of your very existence suddenly becomes undeniable, and you begin to view the people in your life, your circumstances, your time, what you waste time on, and what you want to invest in all in an entirely new light. Every little thing that seemed important pops up real quick and puffs away like smoke.

I thank God for helping me wake up to this reality at 19 when my mom suddenly passed away, rather than in my 50s or 60s, having wasted decades chasing worthless things that ultimately don’t matter. The rest really is “for showing off.” We don’t say that enough, and we should.

I’ll never forget coming home after my mom had passed and cleaning out her bedroom. It was the most bizarre and surreal experience— everything still smelled like her. Her clothes were neatly organized, just as she’d always done. Her bed was made, the last cup she’d used was still on her desk, and the open planner, with the pen she’d been holding, was all in its place— just the person was missing. As if they just stepped out to grab some groceries and would be right back. But of course, she wasn’t.

As a teenager, that experience hit me like a ton of bricks, and it was deeply jarring. But over the years, as I’ve reflected on that moment, it’s become a constant reminder: everything I own, everything I accumulate, I don’t get to keep. All the things I work so hard for and store up in this life don’t follow me when I die. In the end, nothing is truly for gain. Everything is a gift.

These gifts—our possessions, our time, our talents—are meant to be stewarded for something greater than ourselves. Sin distorts our hearts, though, leading us to idolize these gifts and hoard them as if they were the ultimate purpose of life. It creates an illusion that the things we gather and store up are somehow permanent, but death teaches us the truth: nothing lasts forever.

And as painful and traumatic as that lesson was, I’m grateful for it now. It took 10 sessions of trauma therapy and a decade of prayer to get there, though, you know? I’m thankful for the clarity it’s brought, and I hope it’s encouraging to you now.

As Easter is coming up fast, I’m reminded that Jesus conquered death so that we wouldn’t have to experience it. Another way he conquered death is that we can acknowledge that it’s coming and not be afraid. If He is the defeater of death and our life is found in Him, we will defeat death too, amen? He can even transform the experience of death in our lives RIGHT NOW because His spirit, his pure heavenly spirit, dwells within us and allows us to find joy amid unimaginable grief. May the Lord bring more dying souls to Himself today and this Easter.

Let’s pray for it!

P.S. Even though we cannot take things with us to heaven, praise that the relationships we make in Christ, we can!