What is With Us at the End of Life?
What is with us at the end of life? The world talks a lot about legacy and leaving behind something that will make a difference. It would seem obvious to leave the world better than you found it, giving a better future for those you love. While I think most of us would agree, there’s an element that we must also focus on ourselves when we think of our short time here.
In William Law’s 1729 book, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, most of it is spent hitting the same theme in different topics: our purpose on earth is to live a pious and holy life unto God. I’m currently reading it, and I’ve found it especially beautiful and challenging, full of so many quotes that I wish I had bought it instead of using a library version. In one chapter titled, The Emptiness of a Life Not Governed by Devotion, he shares the following:
“For if the only end of life be to die as free from sin and as exalted in virtue as we can; if naked we came, so naked we to return and stand a trial before Christ and his holy angels, for everlasting happiness and misery – what can it possibly signify what a man had or had not in this world? What can it signify what you call those things which a man has left behind him? I say, call them; for the things signify no more to him than the names. Let it therefore be supposed that instead of continual hurry of business he was frequent in his retirements and a strict observer of all the hours of prayer; that instead of restless desires after more riches his soul has been full of the love of God, constantly watching against worldly tempers and always aspiring after divine grace;”
I could share more, but I’m sure you see the point: that the end of life will confront us with how we lived our lives. Did we aim to exalt our virtue and squash our sin? Or did we pursue worldly pleasures and riches instead? Those are questions worth reflecting on.
You might see a lot of references to William Law in the coming weeks. But despite the eloquent language, the purpose of his words holds a simple truth: we are to live a life glorifying to God, and the way we do that is by living more filled with his love, virtue, and grace. If we do that, we will do our best to end our life well.
