The CIRCLE of LIFE

The CIRCLE of LIFE

Eileen Renders

Life

Some time ago, I was philosophically contemplating the comparison between life and death. Life, as I began to see it included some happy times, yet also included many unsuspected negative feelings and occurrences over which we had no control. Examples include: genetics, natural disasters, war, the environment, disease, the economy, danger, evil, and death itself. It reminds me of being in a bubble without escape, and no way to avoid what happens around us, or to us directly. In fact, we did not have any control over being born into this world; God chose that we be conceived. It is good to often remind ourselves that all life on this earth is terminal.

Receiving an invitation from God to spend eternity with Him in heaven is based upon how we use our free will to choose right from wrong.  

 Death

In death, we feel no pain, no restraints, no gravity issues, no expectations, no regrets, no challenges, no fears, and no disappointments. We have stepped out of the confining bubble. Although death is inevitable for all of us, the timing of each person’s death, along with our free will choices, is also up to God’s determination.  Pope Francis has said, “One day, we will see our animals again in the eternity of Christ. Paradise is open to all creatures. This statement has been interpreted by many as a hint that our pets might go to heaven, but it is important to note that the Pope did not specifically mention dogs in his comments. The Vatican later clarified that the Pope’s remarks were not intended to be a doctrinal statement and that the Pope did not mean that all animals go to heaven. 

In Conclusion, based upon my comparison, while life does provide many joyful experiences and teachings to provide that we embark upon the path of good that leads to heaven, life also is a “Testing Ground” for our choices, loyalty, and trust in God, and can at times, become a challenge, such as when parents lose a child.

However, while the Light at the end of the tunnel can seem far away, the choice to follow that Light and keep going in that direction will lead us to an eternity in paradise with God.