The Horizon of Life
THE HORIZON OF LIFE
You have watched with anger, outrage, and deep sorrow as pain, humiliation and loss of strength has changed the body, mind and spirit of someone you love. You hated these changes as the person grew weaker and weaker and slipped further and further from you. Finally, the ordeal of waiting and watching helplessly is over. The end has come to your loved one. But this is not reality.
Imagine you are standing on a pier with a group of friends and relatives. Everyone is waving a final goodbye to a fellow Christian as the ship the person is on sails slowly away. As it goes further and further from you and out into the open sea, it seems to change, to grow smaller as it maintains its course. A loved one is leaving. You are already experiencing the first pangs of loneliness and sorrow as you think about the upcoming void in your life. You don’t like the change you see as the ship grows smaller and smaller. Finally, it sails over the horizon and out of your sight. You can’t see it anymore. The ordeal of idly standing by, waiting for the inevitable is over. The person standing next to you with tear filled eyes turns and says, “It’s gone.” Your own eyes tell you this is so. But this too is not reality.
As certain as the ship and its passengers which have passed out of your sight still exist, so too does your loved one. Just as those of you watching helplessly as someone you love dearly passes over the horizon of life may say with deep sorrow, “she’s gone…he’s gone,” rest assured there are others on the other side of the horizon at the exact same moment shouting with indescribable joy “she’s home…”he’s home.” Your loved one has just been born to eternal life. An unknown author reminds us, “For a Christian death is not a ‘period’ but rather a ‘comma’ in the story of life.” [John 11:25-26; 5:24-25; 10:28]
God has determined that one day at a specific hour and second, which He alone has decreed, you too will cross over the Horizon of Life [Job 14:1, 5]. Take comfort in knowing that because of His tremendous love [John 3:16], your loved one will be there to joyfully welcome you. This is reality!
January 1, 1991 Posted by Mike Cunningham Categories: Stories 60 comments
Mike,
First I would like to say we all love you and thank you for all you have done for our family, God bless you.
Mike, the Horizon of Life is a spiritual writing that I believe God has given to this world, using you as his vessel. Mike, your writing is a blessing to all, although I would like to say our family has used these beautiful words in time of death. We had them read at two separate funerals for loved ones we lost. Any one who reads this comment: Please hear me; this writing should be rejoiced, and read in life to inspire and strengthen our spirit, and at the time of loss to remind us by the grace of God we can have the rebirth of our spirit in its new eternal home with God, heavenly bodies, and reunion with our loved ones that have gone before us.
Thank you Mike
Love from all of us, what a wonderful blessing you are.
Beautiful and true. It’s a blessing to have people there watching you sail away too. My family has helped me get through many tough times. I love you!
This is just wonderful.
It is great to keep in mind the things that we cannot see and the power of our limited perception. Just as a ship passing over the horizon (wonderful imagery of the journey of life), though something may seem gone, it is important to remember that which is on the other side of the horizon waiting for us.
This piece is full of hope, love and faith, and is a perfect reminder to me to think about and be grateful for those I love while their ship is on my side of the horizon, but also to understand that one journey’s end is another’s beginning.
Thank you so much for sharing this with me.
-Shawn
Mike, we have just experienced what you have described above. We watched as my mom declined over a 7 month period, not recognizing us at the very last. But, it is a wonderful confirmation to read what we have believed all this time. God deals with all of us so gently, it is amazing. Thank you for these wonderful words. Thank you for reminding us of the life yet to come. Carol Jaramillo
Mike,
I found the Horizon of Life very comforting and meaningful.
David
Grandpa,
This was very meaningful and I enjoyed it a lot, thank you for sharing.
Love,
Cheyenne
Dear Mr. Cunningham- Thank you so much for generously sharing your Horizons bulletin with me here at Green Mountin. I was very moved by your message and the peace it brings to the adventure from this life to the next part of one’s journey. I especially was touched by the analogy of sailing across to a wonderful future, I am a Picies and have to be near the water! I will always be grateful for having met you and am blessed by your wisdom. Shannon- Speech Therapy.
Mike,
I just re read this piece, and it struck me just as strongly as ever. It’s so important to keep in mind what we cannot see and to appreciate the life of our loved ones while we have them, but also to appreciate the love from the other side of the horizon. We all must sail eventually and it’s always good to remember, home is waiting.
Thank you again for sharing your wisdom and love,
Shawn
Grandpa C,
Thank you for sharing this with us. Your words bring me a lot of comfort and remind me that, once I am on the other side, I will get to see the people I have loved and lost over the years. But you are right — those people are never truly lost to us. You have a real gift for bringing us words of wisdom to live by.
Love,
Moriah
Grandpa,
I admire you so much and your gift of bringing comfort to others. You are very loved and I thank you for how much love and laughter you bring to our lives. Keep writing your beautiful words, and we will happily keep reading them