Don’t let the good life obscure the life hereafter

It’s not that he was opposed to religion. It’s just that he’d never had a lot of time for it.

He’d attended Sunday school for about two years when he was a boy. One day when he was 15 years old, a neighbor lady had spoken to him about Jesus. But none of it had made much of an impression. Other things were happening. His whole life was in front of him.

Not much had changed over the years. At age 63, his life was still full. Most mornings saw him in the office by 8:45 am. There was a staff meeting at 10 a.m. The phones were ringing. People were waiting to see him. He would often gobble a late lunch. The day was long and the work was stressful, but the pay was good. And that had always seemed important.

He often arrived home late for dinner. But he was a good provider. His three children, now grown, had never lacked for clothes or toys. His wife loved their home. It was beautiful – with central air conditioning, a large-screen plasma TV, and networked computers that controlled the security system and the lighting.

They had an excellent retirement program in place. They would do a lot of traveling.

And although it cost dearly, their life insurance policy included a provision for long-term health care that would protect their estate for the kids and grandkids. A brand-new Infiniti M45 sat in one bay of the garage, a Lexus SUV in the other.

He was involved in three community groups and was a member of the local school board. But he was not a churchgoer. From time to time he had considered the matter, but was never exactly sure where to go and chose not to take time to research the options.

He had contracted with a local landscaping business to do his lawn work, which freed him to play indoor tennis once a week and work out at the fitness center the other four days.

A neighbor woman came by to clean the house each week. One day about three years ago, she had encouraged them to watch a Billy Graham TV special. They did. Graham’s sermon was titled: “After Death, What?”

That program aroused his interest in spiritual things. He sincerely resolved to investigate matters of faith objectively. Specifically, he would read the Bible, the Quran, and the Tao Te Ching. But now, three years later, he still hadn’t gotten to any of the three.

The family owned a camp on a lake about 75 minutes from their home. It wasn’t elaborate and they didn’t use it very often, but it seemed good to know it was there.

He was generous with financial support for the local library. He and his wife tried to do their share for public radio and the United Way. Once they even gave 50 bucks to the Methodist church down the street. That, however, was the exception. A friend who attended the church complained: “The sermons are 75 percent dull, the congregation is 85 percent dead, and the choir is 95 percent out-of-tune.”

So why should they darken the door?

And why did he need God, anyway? The bills were paid. The mortgage was manageable. Their marriage was solid. Both vehicles were running. There was money in the bank. Their wills were current. Things seemed rather well-situated.

In short, they were sitting pretty, eating well, and feeling fine – until 10:47 p.m. last Saturday. Suddenly, just as he was getting into bed, a searing bolt hit him in the chest.

The ambulance was taking him to the hospital. But halfway there, he took a shortcut to eternity – where he has no stocks, bonds, insurance, reservations, residence, camp, boat, family, friends or acquaintances – but where he is fully conscious.

He had never denied the reality of an afterlife. He just hadn’t taken time to think much about it – or to prepare for it.

“Where we are but passing guests, we build such strong and solid nests, but where we hope to live for aye, we scarce take heed one stone to lay.” – author unknown.

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” – Jesus Christ, Mark 8:36, New American Standard Bible.

How is it that so many of us have so carefully arranged all of the details for a comfortable existence here on earth – which might last a century – and yet have failed to consider and arrange for the epochs to follow?

The Rev. Daryl E. Witmer is founder and director of the AIIA Institute, a national apologetics ministry, and associate pastor of Monson Community Church. He may be reached at aiia.christiananswers.net or by e-mail at aiiainstitute@aol.com. Voices is a weekly commentary by Maine people who explore issues affecting spirituality and religious life.