Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die

Maybe I have a weird sense of humor but an old bluegrass song with the title “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die” came to my mind as this pandemic was starting to really hit here in the United States. The last part of that for sure rings true in the times we’re in.

At least as far as I can tell, the author of the song is unknown. We cannot ask about their intended meaning for the song, but like art does, the song can get us to think about it.

Although the title generally does ring true, it is a bit exaggerated. There are those who would outwardly say they do not want to go heaven – although deep down if they are being honest, I think most would choose heaven over hell.

“Nobody wants to die” is also not entirely true either – people commit suicide and others find themselves in circumstances where perhaps they want to die. But again, I think most people do not want to die.

Based on what the Bible teaches, heaven is a desirable place and we should want to go there. However, God put us here on earth for a purpose and we need to embrace that as well.

The Apostle Paul ponders this quandary in his letter to the Philippians. “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!”

I think we need to find that balance, live our lives to the fullest here but at the same time not be overly anxious about what is to come.

I think another take on this idea is that part of living the Christian life is making Jesus Lord of our lives. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Our sinful life is to be put to death. Too often this is the way we do not want to die - we want to cling to elements of the sinful life. While we cannot earn our salvation by our own works, we do need to let Jesus be Lord in our lives.

Jesus says in Luke 9:23 “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

In these pandemic days, we need to take reasonable precautions for our physical lives and perhaps more importantly for the lives around us. However, our most important aim should be to make sure we allow our old, sinful selves to die and to be made new in Christ.