I like to think of my life as a series of episodes. Each one leads to the next, which can leave you hanging at the end and wondering what’s next. They can also cause you to think about the endless possibilities. When we actually reach the last years of our journey here on earth, the final destination has got to be a whole lot better than the years of struggle, fears, sadness and testing. Instead of letting those times get the best of us, we should push ahead with hope that our next stop is going to be paradise.

The circle of life is really funny when you think about it. We come into this world screaming and kicking and we depart in the same way. Our infancy consists of diapers, eating, sleeping and learning how to walk. The same is true of those aging years. We dislike the option of death, so we fight our way to the end. Tears, anxiety and worry fill our minds until we finally succumb. In the meantime, we’re again wearing diapers, eating soft foods and sleeping through the daylight hours. We’re also learning new ways of walking with replaced body parts and aching bodies. Isn’t it interesting that what goes around comes around again? With each new venture during a lifetime, we grow until we reach the pinnacle of existence and quickly retreat to our original behavior. All those years of trying to prove our value or make a good reputation are much like King Solomon referred to as, “Chasing the wind.”

All the years of living seem to be futile when you look at it that way but focusing on the finish line makes each step worth it. Not to say we should focus on our final days, but to enjoy what those episodes allow us to do. Waiting to die is also like chasing the wind. For those who believe in God’s promises, life never ends. It simply transitions to another place – a place of perfection and peace. While we remain on this planet, we still have work to do. We can share the promises of God with others, so that they can become recipients of this same gift. We should never consider our last years as the end, but more of a fresh start.