An aged pastor once joked that after reading that most elderly people died at around 4.00am in the morning, he decided to set his alarm at 3.00am and get out of bed and make himself a cup of coffee.
The inevitability of death to all – except those blessed enough to be alive when the Lord returns — adds a sort of “push-pull” factor to the Christian life. Our desire to be with the Lord “pulls” us gently towards eternity and the everlasting life promised us by Jesus. We know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. We do not fear death because God removed the “sting” of sin in the moment we turned to Jesus and were forgiven.
Our Lord’s resurrection removed death as an inescapable threat and enabled us to confidently face the judgement that awaits every person beyond the grave.
Yet our refusal to die before time causes us to “push” against illness, which we do when we claim healing through Christ’s sufferings and his death on the Cross. Jesus “bore our sickness and carried our pains,” and “through his wounds we are healed” (1 Peter 2:24). We know exactly where we stand in this matter, because God has made known His will in His Word.
If you are young, the “push” factor will be stronger, which is as it should be, since you’ve yet to accomplish many things in life. If you are old, the “pull” factor may be stronger — especially if you have suffered from a longtime illness. But, just as a young, healthy Christian can feel the “pull” of eternity and everlasting life, an older Christian can gain assurance of healing through God’s promises, which are stated clearly in the Bible.
Life is not a matter of “push” or “pull” extremes. Yes, there will be times when eternity will call and you will feel the “pull” of God’s promised immortality. And there will be times when promises as yet unfulfilled will enable you to “push” off conditions that threaten to end life prematurely. Recalling prophecies spoken over your life by credible ministers can increase the “push” factor. So, too, can a vision that requires you to live to see it come to pass. Apart from the above, I recommend the pre-selection before conception of parents with genes that promise longevity.