DECEMBER 2024: FROM LIFE TO LIFE: KEY LESSONS FROM THE DEPARTED

Lightness mingles with heaviness as I delve into this quite unfamiliar discussion but I shall labor in good faith to give an answer to the question: What Is Life?

Three facts remain undisputed that each of us:

1. Was born (past); 
2. Is alive today (present) and; 
3. Will be gone someday which is the lighter of saying will die (future).

Over the past fourteen years, I have gone through the experience and I am still overcoming the pain of losing five members of my nuclear family (My biological father and four of my brothers). What amazes me about their demise is that each of them has/had a clear birthday/date/day they were born and a clear death day/date/day they died but it is hard to trace or tell a story about their entire day-to-day life. All I have are memories of what we shared in their lifetime; just a small percentage, I could say, of their lives. The rest remains very personal and goes with them. They knew (and know better in the next life) what they experienced and this teaches me in a way that each of us knows exactly what we go through each day and no one else could ever explain it to another. We can only make attempts.

This should be the last time I am writing about death. The next episodes especially in the coming year. 2025, will focus more on life. As it is written in John 10:10, the enemy/devil comes only to steal, kill and destroy but Jesus came that we may have life and life in abundance. I claim that life going forward, much more than I have claimed in the past.

We can never say that we know people that much but we try. When created, each person has their individual thoughts and life that they live which they might never share that much as a screen record one hundred percent. If anything, it is by luck that one can say that they know another person above sixty percent.

For instance, Dad died at age sixty-three. I imagine how many pages of his life/book we would have to read if he had to write down the flow of his life right from the first year! Same to Simon who died at age thirty; Herbert at age twenty-six; Brian at age eighteen and Daniel at age sixteen. How many pages would we have to read of their book(s)?

There are many times when I have tried to document my day-to-day life but I can tell you that I have never been perfect. There are days and weeks when I find that certain things passed, just like that and I can't recall them that well. They skip the mind! 

Accountability for each day is a good practice. It brings satisfaction when one gets consistent and committed about or to it. I have felt a sense of satisfaction every time I flipped pages of my life and found it clear that I can recount how each day of my life was spent.

A reflection about death and life is a paradox. I might or might never comprehend the divide between death and life. The choice remains on trusting the Word of God that our good deeds shall follow us and that there is life after death. It is written in John 11:25-26 that “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

There is a way the thought of/about death makes life seem meaningless and yet for us who are still alive, our prayer and hope is that life shall always be good and fair to us and that we have power over death. Beyond hope, we hold the belief that there is a better place we go to after leaving this world. That is why I refere to a cross-over from life on earth to life in the heavenly places.

However, the loss of a loved one leaves a very big gap in life; a deep valley full of darkness and pain. It is only through hope in God that we overcome fear for death together with its sting. Without hope in God, just a slight thought and reflection about death leaves us in heavy turbulence and shake.

We are reminded in in Psalm 23:4 that even though we walk through the darkest valley, we will fear no evil for God is with us; His rod and His staff, they comfort us.  Do you get this? I get it very clearly.

It is also written in 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 that we are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. Therefore, let us not give up. Life is about resilience and perseverance.

These are some of the take-away options for December 2024:

1. The new has come, the old is gone (2 Corinthians 5:17). I am mindful of the fact that my writings and pieces are received and read by a diverse audience that may not be absolutely Christian. But for those who believe, it is clear that if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone, the new is here. Good has carried us though the past eleven months of the year. We cannot focus on those because they are in the past unless there is something we cannot do without and must go back to pick it up. Let us focus on the present and the future.
2. We are the solution to the hurting world. If you may agree with me, look around you or turn around you and chances are high that you will find someone who is hurting and looking for a solution to something that is pressing them. Is there anything you could do to assist that person feel better? It doesn’t have to be that big. However small it may be, offer it. It could just be a word of encouragement; it could be something that you can afford. Please give it to them. This life is about being the solution to some of the questions in life. Each of us has resident ability to connect some dots in life and come up with a clearer picture to brighten someone’s life.
3. Throw out/away negative energy. You don’t need it, I don’t need it. Kill and avoid negative vibe. While we live, there is so much that could help us advance on the one hand and there is so much that could derail us on the other. Let us focus on those things that will help us build stronger and better personal and corporate or collective relationships. If there are people you can join with to build a secure future, please connect with them. Influence them to attain the change that you wish to see tomorrow, next week, next month or next year.
4. Whatever you have to do, do it now. We live to leave. Have no regrets. Whoever you wish to see, see them now. Have no regrets. Whatever you wish to achieve, achieve it now. Have no regrets. I have heard and interacted with people who are living with/in regret, wishing that had done things certain ways; wishing they had not waited. It seems too late but I can affirm to you that it has never been late for you to start again and correct the past mistakes, You can decide today to adjust your life and bring healing to your mind, body and soul.
5. Be grateful for everyone and everything in your life. Everything is vanity but it doesn't hurt to have all that we need in life. I am certain that whoever has read this text is alive. Be grateful that you can breathe on your own; that you can brush your teeth, bathe and dress up that smartly; that you are able to move to places that you wish to move to. There are very many people who can’t do what you do; who are struggling to keep up with life. Be grateful for who you are. You are exceptional. Remain humble, at whatever level you are. Work had and smart.

This is what life is all about. This is the true definition and meaning of life. There is so much life after this life. Save the best for it.

Wishing you and loved ones a splendid December 2024.

Mugisa Abwooli Reflection #23 of 2024