Remember the old movie, “Cocoon?” It’s listed as science fiction because some of the main characters were aliens that had been frozen in time in large cocoons and dropped into the ocean for future observation. Years later the pods are retrieved and placed in a swimming pool until they can again be transported to their original planet. A group of elderly people begin swimming in the pool and are transformed. Their aging bodies are invigorated and their youth returns. This movie was released in 1985, with notable actors like Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy and Gwen Verdon. For a time these elderly folks are experiencing new life. When the spaceship returns to carry off the cocoons, they offer to take the old fogies back with them. Some decide to go while others cling to life as they know it.

At the time of its release, I remember thinking that this must be what it’s like to get old and dream of going to heaven. Though it was just a story, appealing to a wide audience, I wasn’t thinking about death at the time. My life was just beginning. My husband was on the cusp of building a business. I was busy raising three growing youngsters and had just returned to college to take some theatre courses which I could use as a drama instructor. We were at the middle of our existence. Old age wasn’t even a thought.

We all go through a metamorphous of sorts through our lives. When we reach middle age we look forward rather than back. When we reach retirement, we might think that all we can do is look back at our past – our accomplishments and failures – our decisions, good or bad. Each stage in life is a step in our transformation process. As we get closer to the end of it, we realize that our hope doesn’t lie in this place – this time – the people we love. Our hope is in the future in a place that provides for all our needs, takes away all our pain and gives us complete peace..

As Christians, we believe that our time on earth is a time of grace, gifted to us by our Creator. It’s an opportunity for us to share the good news of God’s future plans for us. This message isn’t exclusive to Christians, because Jesus came for everyone. God’s inspired words in the Bible are His words and they provide us with the key to living forever.

The thought of dying comes to us when we grow older. We don’t relish the thought of leaving loved ones behind. We don’t want to leave any unfinished business. However, death will come to all of us. It’s a fact of that we will all face. When we have faith that our Almighty God has provided us with our salvation, the thought of heaven is eternal paradise.