Wednesday, May 15, 2002
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Wednesday, May 15, 2002 |
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Time to update your eternal life insurance policy By JOHN HATCHER Summer approaches. I've read articles about how to treat snake bites with the critters moving about more freely in their kind of weather. I've read what the dermatologists have to say about sunburn precautions in view of trips to the beach. And, of course, the articles which suggest ways to treat your child's summer boredom. Now, it's my turn. Let's say that with all the various summer activities there comes the increased imminence of death. No fooling. Fishing accidents. Accidental drownings. Highway fatalities as families drive the four corners of the country. And, of course, snake bites that don't get treated soon enough. "Boy, that Hatcher fellow sure is negative. Here I am thinking about the joys and journeys of summer and he is trying to spoil it all by talking death possibilities. Can't this paper get someone more positive to write a column?" I can hear your thoughts. Nobody wants to think about the latest mortality statistics: 100 percent of the population dies. Maud Farris-Luse of Coldwater, Michigan was on her way to embarrassing the mortality statistics, but finally March 18, 2002 she died at age 115. At age 114 Guinness Book of World Records as oldest living person listed her. But we all die! Not everyone will get snake bit. But everyone will die. Not everyone will get sunburned. But we all will die. Not everyone will suffer with a bored child. But everyone will die. If you, sir, live in Uganda, expect death around 47 years of age. If you are a citizen/resident of the United States, sir, you have extra time, but still expect death around 71. Now, if I were a concerned columnist of The Citizen newspaper, should I not care about all your going about, putting yourself at greater risks this summer? And should you not also be concerned about taking the very best precautions as you make wise preparations for the summer fun? And, what about making those kinds of precautionary preparations for your family members? Sending the kids to camp by way of bus this summer? Taking to family to Hawaii this summer by commercial jet? On my last trip to the Holy Land that's before it became a war zone I remember buying flight insurance. Had the plane gone down in the Atlantic Ocean, my family would have been in fine shape. I took out a $5 million dollar policy. Although statistics were on the side of my plane making the trip, there still was that possibility of tragedy. Get serious with yourself and family. Is there not a possibility that you or one of your precious family members might not see the end of summer? Sure it is possible. So, why not be sure? Why not be sure that you and your family have eternal life insurance? I hope at this point that some of my fellow clerics don't get a case of pious hiccups. They may think that calling eternal life, a la salvation, should not be referred to as "life insurance." But when you really begin to break it down, what's a person's provision when death calls? The best provision is eternal life insurance that comes with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If I croak before summer's end, I know that my wife can be comforted knowing that my eternal life insurance policy was in full force, made possible by the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the gift of his righteousness in exchange for my sinfulness. Before going on that next trip or before you let junior out of your sight, maybe you need to drop by a local church and talk with a local pastor about your eternal life insurance. It makes mighty good sense!
The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community
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