I Will Be Content on the Day I Die
To the passing of time, until its end.
“Resolved, to think often of my own mortality and the circumstances thereof.” - Jonathan Edwards1
I think about these words very often. The Bible tells us that there is wisdom in recognizing that our days are numbered (Psalm 90:12), but sadly it is the case with most people never to think of such things, but to focus only upon the single moment in which they exist.
I think the new year is a phenomenal demonstration of this. New Year’s Eve is basically viewed as a night in which to relish in all manner of degeneracy and hedonistic pleasure. The jubilation of now is the time, and the time is now. The time will soon be over, it will be no more. So indulge. The vices may differ, but it is all basically the same. Although it is not at the forefront of the minds of most people, the new year is a demonstration of the fact that time is fleeting. However, this thought gets stuffed away by the indulgence.
However, there are a large number of worldly people who go an entirely different route with all of this. They do dwell on the fleeting nature of time’s vanity, but it is merely a downward spiral toward despair. To these people it seems so hopeless. What is the point of it all, anyhow?
Now I realize that most of my readers are Christians, and already have the basic structure of a Christian worldview to see the errors in both extremes, and recognize the proper perspective; but this doesn’t mean you don’t know people who are struggling with their vice, and it also doesn’t mean that you yourself cannot be influenced by the world.
I have a confession to make, I am a person who (except for Christmas and Easter) tends to get weirded out around the holidays. I lean into my navel-gazing Calvinistic side and sort of become the embodiment of the Puritan caricature, looking down my nose and shuttering at those who partake of any kind of joy.
Okay, I am being dramatic here.
I actually, believe it or not, like joy myself. I’ve been known to laugh and smile, among other things. But joy and merriment are worthless outside of Christ, and this is what weighs so heavy on my heart. I just wish other people knew what I know and understood what I understand. I am mature enough in my faith to recognize these things are in God’s hands, but nevertheless the thought is there.
And so I look out, and I just see folks living empty worthless lives, with no point, aim, or direction. And then I think of the passing of time (which January 1st sort of brings to mind) and I remember that one day soon we are all going to die. And the unbeliever, try as he might to deny it, is subjected to slavery via the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15).
And really, why shouldn’t they be? Afraid, that is.
In their heart of hearts they know God and they feel the guilt, judgement is coming. All the merriment, all the joy, all the laughter, all the pleasure, all the vice—it is coming to an end. It’ll be no more. They will be no more, well, no more in this realm, anyway.
In self-deception they come up with some other idea, some other perspective and outlook on the end of their day, but whatever it is it is empty and void outside of the knowledge of God and of Christ.
What I want to say, in response to all this (and I trust that it is not just me looking down on others in my spiral of purity) is that I am a Christian. Not a perfect man, but saved by God by His grace. And I am not afraid to die. I, like Edwards, make a resolve to think frequently upon my own death. On a personal note, I have already lost two stepbrothers to addiction at much too young of an age, and so God has kind of forced me to think about these things (for which I am grateful). But I look at my life, knowing it is a vapor (James 4:14) and that it will come to an end. All of my earthly labor will have to stop. There will be no more time for me to do good or to do bad. There will be no more time to help others, there will be no more time to make mistakes. It will be over. And I am content with this. And I shall, by God’s grace sustaining me, remain content until the day I die.
You see, I belong to God. The Father has chosen me before the foundation of the world, the Son gave Himself for me on the cross, and the Spirit granted me repentance and life. I have hope in the resurrection which is to come, eternal life. My future is determined, down to the most minute detail, by my all-wise and all-loving heavenly Father, and words cannot describe the gratitude that has taken residence in my heart.
Dear reader, I encourage you to look out at the world and the new year with these thoughts in mind and ask yourself, how can we (the Church) make these things known among the people? Though time is passing, God is not done with time. He is working even until now (John 5:17) and will continue to do so.
Remember to fear God, trust and obey Him. Be virtuous, be godly, be noble. Ask that your life may be entirely devoted to His will, for He answers those kinds of prayer.
A presentation I gave on Edwards’ resolutions at the beginning of 2024 can be found here: