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
The Horizon of Life is very touching to know that when you cross over you are blessed knowing your loved ones are all there.
Lillian Healy
The Horizon of Life was a good read. It was well written and it went into depth. Very inspirational. Very good. I would like to read more by Mike Cunningham.
Grace
It’s very true and tasteful writing.
Ethan Curry
Mike
On the horizon here is not darkness only light. The sun may be setting on us today but it will be guiding us tomorrow.
Milo Spencer III
Mike,
The Horizon of Life is very inspirational!
Theresa Drouin.
I re-read The HORIZON OF LIFE and also read the scriptures that you quote. I found this to be a very pleasant way to look at death and dying.
Peg Pratt
I believe that God spoke to me threw The Horizon of Life by saying that when we loose a loved one, family member or friend we’re not really saying good bye. We’re simply letting them go over the Horizon and be with God until we can meet again. That it’s not death. There is still life with our God and family and friends.
Nicole Lynn Russin
Mike,
I read the Horizon of Life and I thought it was great!
Rebecca Hartwell
Hi Mike,
It was good to see you today. It did me good to unload my emotions about Aaron. I read the Horizon of Life. I can relate to it when my parents passed away. They had a long and good life and did a good job raising 7 children. Aaron was only 26 and did not have a chance to have a life and I still have a rough time dealing with his death.
It was good talking to you today!
Ray Demers
Dear Mr. Cunningham,
I want to thank you for the inspiring words on your “The Horizon of Life” pamphlet. It really makes an impact when you realize that our loved ones will be waiting for us to join them in eternal life.
Thank you, Renee Koch