Yesterday, I received the heartbreaking news that my cousin Hector passed away unexpectedly last week. He had woken up feeling unwell and asked his son for a glass of water. Tragically, by the time his son returned, Hector had already passed. Hector held a special place in my heart because he saved my life when I was about eight years old. I had unwisely followed my older cousins, Hector’s sisters, into a river despite not knowing how to swim. As the water became deeper, I got caught in a current and struggled to stay afloat. My cousins attempted to rescue me, but they weren’t strong enough. Thankfully, Hector happened to pass by and saved me. I will always be grateful to him for his lifesaving action.In my profession in the financial industry, I often have conversations about life and mortality. Many people shy away from discussing death, almost as if by avoiding the topic, they can delay its inevitability. While most acknowledge that death is a part of life, few find peace with this reality.

How do you perceive death? Do you fear it, avoid it, or feel prepared for it? I hope these discussions will help you feel prepared and perhaps even approach the subject with a sense of peace, acceptance, and why not? Even exhilaration.

for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2: 18

These words remind us of a profound moment in the biblical narrative where God sets the foundation for human choice and consequence. When God created the world, it was perfect, complete with no blemishes or sin, a testament to divine craftsmanship.  God provided Adam and Eve with a world that lacked nothing.

 In this idyllic setting, Adam and Eve, the first humans ever created, enjoyed not only the bounty of the earth but also significant roles and responsibilities: to steward the earth, nurture its potential, and multiply – the ultimate purpose. Moreover, they were given the gift of each other, experiencing companionship and deep unity, reflecting the love and completeness inherent in creation and the capacity to enjoy a profound relationship with Him. It was a world of abundance and harmony.

 In this state of perfection, God offered a single command that underscored their freedom and the crucial importance of trust in their relationship with Him.  God wanted the human race, sampled by the first human couple, to trust enough His character, his personality, to believe on what He was saying.

 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2: 17-18

He certainly could have left that tree out of their reach. But there is no real love without choice. He didn’t want robots but children. Because of it, He offered them the choice. That choice is still the same choice we must face today. It is “the Choice” with capital C. Who do we trust to define the line? What (or better – Who) defines good and evil?

God wanted the human race, sampled by the first human couple, to trust enough His character, his personality, to believe of what He was saying.

That is the same choice we also face every single day. Who do we listen to to make decisions? Ourselves? Social media? Our political party? Another human being? Who defines what is good for you?

Adam and Eve made the foolish choice to listen to another voice. Because of that, death entered the world. We were separated from God – the eternal source of life. Not only human beings experienced death. But all Creation is subjected to it. Summer is followed by Fall. And soon, Fall is followed by Winter. A seed needs to fall to the ground  and die to produce life.  

But even in that continuous cycle God showed us that there is hope. New life is available. Winter, just like death for the human beings, is important to bring renewal and necessary endings. But it is not the end. Soon Spring will follow. And so it will be for you. If you choose to trust in God’s provision to transform death into victory.

We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences on this profound topic. How do you find comfort in your faith when contemplating the end of life? What practices have helped you prepare spiritually for this journey? Your insights can provide support and encouragement to others on a similar path.