When it comes to life and death, a kind of “push-pull” factor works in the lives of Christians. Our desire to be with the Lord “pulls” us toward eternity. We do not fear death, because God removed its “sting” (our sins) when we came to Jesus and God forgave us for the sake of his great sacrifice.
The Resurrection of our Lord removed the fear of death — the final and inescapable certainty of it — and enabled us to face with confidence the judgement that awaits the unsaved beyond the grave.
Yet our refusal to die prematurely causes us to “push” against illness. We do so when we claim our healing through Christ’s sufferings and his death on the Cross. Jesus “bore our sickness and carried our pains” and “by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5 & 1 Peter 2:24). We know exactly where we stand in this matter because God’s word is His will and we know it well.
If you are young, the “push” factor will be strong. This is as it should be because you’ve much yet to accomplish in life. If you are old, the “pull” factor might be strong — especially if you have suffered from setbacks over time.
It’s not just a matter of “push” or “pull” — there will be times when eternity will draw you, and when it does you will have an assurance of God’s acceptance and yet “push” on. And there will be times when God’s promises will enable you to “push” off a serious condition, even if old in years. (The Apostle Paul “shook off” a poisonous snake that bit him on his journey to Rome.)
Paul was well aware of the “push-pull” factor. “For we who are in this tent (body) groan, being burdened … knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord … [yet] are well pleased [with the thought of being] absent from the body and present with the Lord.”
How did the middle-aged Paul handle this “push-pull” factor? He wrote, “We make it our aim, whether present [with Him through death] or absent [from Him while alive], to be well pleasing to him.” (2 Corinthians 5:4-9) Like Paul, knowing that eternity holds more is no excuse for us to have a kind of spiritual death-wish for the next one.
While we’re here we need to get all that we can out of this life, because while we’re still alive there’s still hope for those around us to be saved.
So, although fully assured when you feel the “pull” of old age in this mortal life, enjoy the “push” that comes from knowing that God has more for you to do before you leave it to enter the immortal one.