What About the Future?

Seniors, great or small, rich or poor, believers or doubters all have senior moments when it comes to thinking about the future.  Thoughts that go through the heads of high-brow intellects or reluctant theorists often come to a sudden stop or take an explosive leap when it comes to life, death, and life after death.  Trouble is, many won’t admit it.  Being human is sufficient cause for at least giving some serious thought to the subject.

We see death everywhere: when leaves gently fall from sturdy, healthy trees; when a beloved pet gasps its last breath; when a jack-knifing semi crushes a convertible; when a distraught businessman pulls the trigger; when a bundle of joy wheezes desperately for breath; when a sodden vagrant guzzles his last sip.  Death is everywhere.  It is inescapable and inevitable, a well-deserved rest or an untimely misfortune.

Whoever fails to think about it, refuses to struggle with its implications, ignores its existence and avoids it like a plague still cannot totally ignore it.  Seniors, who have said good-bye innumerable times, cannot disregard old man death forever.  Sooner or later they must come to grips with reality.  Death is either down the road or just around the bend.

Perhaps more consequential is the next question:  Is there life after death?  Some say yes, others, no.  Scientists argue that knowing is impossible because it can’t be proven; their antagonists argue that it cannot be disproven.  Who are we to believe?  We have no problem recognizing death’s existence but there are all kinds of problems dealing with the unknown.  Some hope there is life after death; others shudder at the thought.

We talk both glibly and seriously about heaven and hell, right and wrong, good and evil, justice and injustice, reward and punishment.  If a poll were taken, in all likelihood a majority would choose heaven over hell.  Logically, respondents would undoubtedly disavow seeing persons who get away with all sorts of mayhem in this life escape by vanishing forever in death.  Logic alone argues that this isn’t fair.  And it isn’t.

The converse is also logical that persons who lived for others, yet pass away with little or no recognition, do deserve to be remembered and rewarded.  But how?  If there is no life after death, it’s impossible.  It’s too late.

Not a few take the approach insisting that all roads lead not only to Rome but to heaven.  We never hear that all roads lead to hell.  Interesting.  How then do we solve this puzzle?  By logic and reason?  By going there and returning with a report?  By consensus (taking a vote)? By searching for clues in history, literature or science?  By looking at nature?

These could all help but I think there is a better way.  By having the mystery of the great beyond, the meaning of life and death revealed by the Creator of the universe, the Architect of heaven and earth.  Actually this is revealed in the most profound religious literature in existence.  This takes the guesswork out of life after death for those who believe.  For the rest, one guess is as good as another.