When It's All Over Down Here
I recently lost a friend, whom I have known from my childhood up, and as I reflect back upon this person's life, I
begin to smile. I met her and her family, when I was visiting my mother here in New York. As you all know, I grew up
in the Edgefield, South Carolina.
I remember the fights that I had with her brothers and cousins, they were a very close-knit family. If you touched
one of their loved ones, you had to pay a price. My friend learned of God through her mother and grandfather,
who was a deacon. This deacon, we called Deacon Vales. If you missed one day of church services (Sunday), no
problem, but if you missed two days, you better bet a knock would come upon your door, and he would be
standing there making this statement, "Missed you at church today. And I know I will see you next Sunday".
Cancer raged through her body, but yet, her faith remained strong. I had the privilege of speaking with her before
her passing into the next life. She said to me, "It will be soon over down here, and I know that there is a new body
for me, one that will see no corruption."
The reason I am sharing this with you, is because sooner or later, whether it be of natural causes or some other
cause, we have to say goodbye to this world, our loved ones, our job, and our community. The question is where
do we go when it is all over down here? Do we just lay some cemetery with a headstone that decays sooner or
later, or do we venture into heaven, where eternal life reigns? Where worship is constant, where there is no need
for the sun, for the glory of God lights up heaven, or do we take a trip to hades (Hell), where the devil and his
angels abide, there is no worship, only eternal torment in the lake of fire, that is filled with fire and brimstone.
Our journey began at birth, our teaching began at home, our knowledge of God began in an organized fashion,
through church services, however, one must seek God for himself or herself, and learn of Him, adopt His ways,
walk in His statutes, and keep His commandments. That is only surety we have (Jesus Christ our Lord).
One day, we'll lay on the preparation table for our bodies to be preserved by the art of embalming, unless you are
of the Judaic religion. The fluid that is placed in your body will not preserve your soul. That must be done prior to
the saying "When it is over down here."
So sisters and brothers, why not examine ourselves, to see where we are going after we have finished our
careers, service to humanity, or service to the devil. Soon, you and I will say "When it is over down here, Lord in
your hands, do I commend my spirit."
Think about it.