📖 "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Philippians 1:21
There’s a holy hush that settles over a room when a believer is about to step into eternity. I’ve heard stories from nurses and carers who have witnessed it time and again — the way a face softens, the way eyes seem to look past the ceiling into a realm beyond, the way fear has no hold because love has already won.
In Hebrew, the word for peace — shalom — goes beyond the absence of conflict. It means wholeness, completeness, and harmony with God. It’s this shalom that blankets the hearts of those who belong to Jesus when they stand at the edge of eternity. Their gaze often lifts as though Heaven has drawn near, and sometimes, they speak of angels or see loved ones waiting.
For those who do not know Him, that same moment can be marked by terror, confusion, and visible dread. The absence of shalom leaves a soul unanchored. As one Physician Assistant put it, witnessing this contrast changed everything — it brought her back to church, because she knew, without a doubt, that Heaven and Hell are real.
📖 "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." — Philippians 1:21 (NKJV)
Eternity isn’t a far-off concept for some distant day; it’s the next breath beyond our last. And in that moment, the only thing that matters is whether we belong to Jesus. He has already conquered the sting of death, offering eternal life to all who call on His Name.
If you have Him, you have peace. If you don’t, the invitation still stands: Come.
Reflection:
How does the idea of shalom shape my understanding of death and eternity? 🤔
If today were my last day, what would I want my final words to be? 🤔
Who in my life needs to hear about the peace that Jesus brings before it’s too late? 🤔
Life Application:
Affirmation:
You are loved more deeply than you know, and His invitation to eternal peace is open for you — and for those you cherish.
Creative Prompt:
Paint or draw an image of a threshold — a doorway, arch, or garden gate — with light spilling through it. Let it symbolise the passage from earth to eternity, and reflect on what emotions and truths you want that threshold to hold.
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for conquering death and offering me eternal life. Fill my heart with Your shalom, and give me courage to share Your invitation with those who do not yet know You. May my life — and my passing one day — be a testimony of Your peace, joy, and victory. Draw my loved ones close to You before their final breath, so they, too, may step into eternity with joy.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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