The Day of Death
By MMin Kevin “Oriyan” Phipps

     In the last year there have been many in our religious and geographical community that have experienced tragic death. Whether it is the death of a child, a parent, a friend, or even a neighbor that you’ve never met, when death strikes, it is one of the most difficult aspects of life human beings face. Those who are grieving are stunned, confused, often angry, and nothing anyone says or does seems to help the pain. We are left with many questions and few answers.
     I don’t even claim to have the answers in this message, but perhaps I can provide some direction and understanding. As much as the why questions tend to be at the forefront of our mind, this only leads to futility. We often don’t know why, and if we did, the pain would still be there anyway. Our focus needs to be on “that”. Why tragedy strikes is not as important as that it has. What is needed is for us to accept the fact that it has happened and find a way to move on.
     This can be the most difficult part. When a loved one is suddenly gone, the story of their life has come to an end. Those who remain, still have more of their life to have written. Some may be in their final chapter and not know it. Did your loved one know it? Probably not. Every breath we take and beat of our heart is a gift from God. What are you going to do with the time you have left? Life is fragile, which tragedy reminds us of. We cannot waste it doing trivial things.
     If you are in a dark room and get hurt walking into things, you need to find light in order to understand where the obstacles in your way are which are causing you to stumble. Yeshua/Jesus teaches us that He is the light. As we draw closer to Him, we are better able to cope with and understand the painful aspects of life. Some may have anger toward God for allowing tragedy to happen, but only as we seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness are we able to receive the healing we need in our time of grief.
 Solomon teaches us that there is a time to mourn and a time to dance. There is a time to laugh and a time to cry. All these times are normal parts of human life. Times of mourning will come as well as times of crying. Both are ok, but we must seek after our Messiah, who alone wipes away our tears and turns our mourning into dancing. 
    The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.  [Tehellim/Psalms 23]