Daniel Chin—Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Editor's note: This article is adapted from an encouragement given during a church service soon after the passing of Sister Mei Ling Chen in Buenos Aires to remind us to reflect on and treasure the life and grace God has given us.

The passing of a loved one can be hard to accept. When we hear such sad news, we are often overwhelmed by a maelstrom of emotions as we recall our last meeting and unearth memories of our time spent with the deceased.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that there is a season for everything, a time for every purpose under heaven. The examples in the following passage encompass joys and griefs, partings and reunions, and the ups and downs of life (Eccl 3:2–8). This passage emphasizes that everything under heaven has its season. These events, both the sublime and sorrowful, will all pass and come to their end. And one day, it will be our turn to say goodbye.

From the perspective of eternity, our entire life is a process of saying goodbye. Some lives end after a brief existence; some end before seeing the sunlight. This realization prompts us to reflect on how we will spend our days before our ordained time on earth is over.

We can gain insight from the final words and wishes of those who know it is their time to say goodbye, especially those faithful individuals in the Bible and in our lives. What can we learn about living a meaningful life before it is our turn to say goodbye?

JOSEPH: WHERE IS YOUR HOME?

When Joseph knew his time was nearing its end, he gave his family two prophecies and an instruction (Gen 50:24–26). Filled with the Spirit and God's word, Joseph declared that God would surely visit them. He knew that after he departed from the world, his brothers and descendants would encounter suffering. Speaking these words by faith, he sought to reassure and remind them that God abides and will take care of them.

The second prophecy was that God would bring them out of Egypt. With these words, Joseph reminded his brethren that Egypt was not their home. When God's appointed time came, God would bring them to His promised land. This message rings true today. Our place on earth is not our home. God has already prepared for us an even better Canaan. We cannot return there on our own, but God will bring us there.

Finally, Joseph instructed his brethren to carry his bones to the promised land. He made them swear an oath that they would do so; such was the seriousness of his request. He had faith that God would bring these prophecies to pass and strongly desired that his remains be buried in the promised land of God.

If we have the strength of faith that Joseph did, we would also yearn to return to our heavenly home. We sometimes live as though this world is our home. We invest all that we have here in this world, and instead of rejoicing, we feel sad at the thought of departing and returning to our heavenly home.

A key insight and life lesson can be gained from the grand sweep of Genesis. Genesis begins with the creation of the heavens and the earth but closes with a coffin. Ever since humankind sinned and departed from God, no matter how hard we work or how high we climb in society, what remains in the end is our coffin. We cannot take with us anything from this world. This is the vanity of life: it is filled with sorrows and toil, and no alternative ending exists.

When I was young, I chased animals for fun. As I came of age, I was captivated by the search for my ideal wife—a beautiful woman with long flowing hair gently blowing in the breeze. In middle age, we tend to be more mature and practical. People are preoccupied with the pursuit of fame, wealth, and success. In our dotage, we may still desire similar things but no longer have the strength to chase them. We gradually become indifferent and disinterested in many things and may find our enjoyment of life diminishing. At the end of our lives, the only pursuit left is the coffin.

Joseph, once a slave, rose to become a governor greater than all but Pharaoh. He lived a glorious life, yet what remained after Joseph's farewell was a coffin. Joseph's body was placed in a coffin, but this coffin was not entombed in Egypt—it was only held there temporarily until the children of Israel departed for the promised land. As the children of God, our time on this earth is only temporary. Elder John writes at the end of Revelation: "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev 22:20b), yearning to be taken away. From Genesis to Revelation, there are many teachings, but ultimately, our final request is for God to bring us home.

Today, if our Lord Jesus were to say that it is our time to go home, we would likely respond, "No, not yet, I don't want to leave this world." The young may say they have not lived enough. But what of the old? If our loved ones are ill or advanced in age, we often beg the Lord not to call them away, even if they are in great pain and need a considerable amount of care and medication. In reality, we are selfish—reluctant to let them go despite their suffering. This response may be understandable if we had no hope of the heavenly kingdom to come. But since we have a better home awaiting us after this life, let us embrace this hope with true faith, declaring, "Lord, I want to return home!"

JACOB: WHAT ARE YOU GRASPING FOR?

Hebrews describes what Jacob did when his death was approaching:

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. (Heb 11:21)

He fulfilled his responsibilities towards man and God before he departed. Firstly, he blessed Joseph's sons.

Jacob's life was full of ups and downs. He experienced the great sorrows of human life—fear, strife, exploitation, and alienation—and escaped death on several occasions. Separately, his brother and father-in-law sought to kill him. When he fled back to Canaan, he faced more trouble from the nations around him.

This was Jacob's life. If not for the many times God appeared and saved him, he would have died sooner. His life was full of labor and sorrow (Gen 47:9). To marry Rachel, he had to work fourteen years in total. Laban cheated him several times. After Jacob established his family, there were many conflicts and a lack of peace in his household. His children harmed and sold Joseph, told their father a pack of lies, and did many things that brought Jacob great shame. Who would consider this a happy or successful life?

When we consider how Jacob blessed others, we can see the great pain and sorrows he experienced. His whole life was marked with scars and bruises. His heart sustained the greatest injuries.

Jacob shed blood, sweat, and tears to gain blessings in his life. He managed to achieve success before he departed this world. At that point, he blessed others. He no longer harbored hatred, complaints, or dissatisfaction. While most of his life had been filled with conflicts and negativity, he chose to bless others in the time he had left, hoping they may be happy, satisfied, and at peace.

As long as we are still alive, we can make the same choice as Jacob. Let us choose to bless others. Let us not continue to harbor grudges, anger, or resentment. There is a saying: if man can only choose something to remember, he would choose gratitude. Choose to remember the good things and be grateful. Before our time is up, if we can say anything, say, "Thank you."

According to Hebrews 11:21, the second thing Jacob did was to lean on the top of his staff to worship the true God. This was Jacob's success, his true faith. Earlier in his life, he grasped onto wealth and wronged many people. He used any means possible—even unscrupulous ones—to obtain what he wanted. Jacob succeeded in the end because he put aside the things of the world and grasped hold of God. Before he died, he gripped his staff to bow and worship God. Are our lives similar to Jacob's earlier life or Jacob's end of life?

In his old age, Jacob relied on a staff to support him. We may think, in his frailty, it would be acceptable for Jacob to lie down and worship God. Instead, Jacob wanted to use his remaining strength and vigor to give his best to God. The Bible says that he leaned on his staff to worship God, and he was received back by God. This is the most beautiful and successful ending one can have in one's faith.

After clinging to the world for most of his life, Jacob understood. Towards the end of his life, he clung to the Lord. While he had breath, he wanted to worship the Lord with the correct mindset, not just offering the minimum. He used his best to truly worship God. This was what Jacob did when it was time for him to say goodbye—another example of the victorious faith of the saints.

A FATHER'S CONCERN FOR THE CHURCH

At the end of his life, a brother gave a final instruction to his son. With his last breath, he said, "Do not let the church run out of money." Though unusual to us, these dying words must have touched God's heart.

At that time, the church was quite poor. Many members lived in large, beautiful houses, but the church building was dilapidated. The chairs in the church were torn and tattered. Every purchase the church planned was disputed over by the members, so the church would end up buying the cheapest, and least durable, option. All the while, members would not hesitate to buy the best quality for their own households.

This state of affairs weighed heavily on the father's heart. Why did he leave this specific instruction for his son? Because he knew his son's life was very comfortable. Some people may encourage others to love God and offer more but avoid admonishing their own children to do so. This father used what remained of his strength to encourage his son to love God more and to offer more.

Alongside this example, I add further encouragement to my children: other than ensuring that the church does not run out of money, you should do your part so that the church does not run out of people.

I received news that our church in a certain country was conducting a spiritual convocation, and only ten people showed up—nine members and one truth-seeker. I was so shocked that I could not sleep! This church was not in a village but in a thriving city with affluent church members.

If we attend church services faithfully with our family, there will always be people in God's church. We must do our part to remain within God's grace and bring up our children in the Lord. As our family grows, so will the church, meaning there will be more hands to serve and more feet to spread the gospel. Thus, God's family will increase. Let us have the same heart as this brother and help the church flourish, both financially and in human resources.

A MOTHER'S CONCERN FOR YOUR SOUL

There was a sister who, as her end approached, repeatedly gave her final instructions to her son. Whenever her son visited her, she would say, "You must go to church." At first, her son did not heed his mother. After all, he had not attended church services for over twenty years. This mother could only say, "Your mother is about to depart. While I can still speak, I must instruct you in this matter. Listen to your mother's advice; let your mother leave in peace. I do not have many worries for you, only for your soul. You must go to church."

Her son continued to give excuses and soothing words to appease her. But on her last day on earth, after the doctors had informed them she did not have long left, her son saw tears falling from her eyes. He leaned in close to ask his mother what was troubling her. She summoned her energy and uttered her final word, "Church."  

She had encouraged him to return to church many times, yet he did not listen. Thank God, her son still had his conscience and was moved by the Holy Spirit. "Mother left me no instructions apart from this one. Mother really loves my soul; she really loves my life! If I do not return to church and worship God, how will I meet my mother in heaven?" This son is now very zealous, serving God with his whole family.

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST: IT IS DONE!

Before our Lord Jesus Christ breathed His last, He said, "It is finished!" (Jn 19:30), which means "I have accomplished." Many in the world judged Him to be a failure. To those already skeptical about His proclamations before He was crucified, His death certainly added more doubt to His identity. Even His apostles, who had followed Him for three years, deserted Him. Yet, when it was Jesus' time to say farewell, He declared that He had finished His work.

When it is our time to say goodbye, we hope to be able to profess this simple yet profound sentiment. The second coming of Jesus is near. Our Lord Jesus brings home all who are holy, love God, and faithfully serve Him. One by one, they are being brought to their heavenly home.

What more for those of us who remain in this world? Are we dwelling on conflicts, envy, anger, or complaints? When a faithful worker departs to receive glory and blessing, we lose a prayerful worker who interceded daily for the church. How should we, who remain, focus our prayers?  

If the church is not in one's heart, he will be indifferent to the church's concerns. If there is a lack of workers or resources, he may feel it has nothing to do with him

As we reflect upon our heavenly hope, let us repent and begin anew. Let us not only think about money, business, or our enjoyment in life. Let us change and consider how we can love Jesus, care for the church, and serve one another. If we do so, our faith, the faith of our family, and of the church will grow abundantly.  

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess 5:23)