“Rehearsal” is an activity in the performing arts that occurs as preparation for a performance in music, theatre, dance and related arts, such as opera. Although costly, challenging and exhausting, rehearsals are essential for ensuring that everything according to the script is right before the curtain goes-up on opening day.

While I lack rehearsal experience in the performing arts, I have vast experience in rehearsing for the occasion of my death… the moment my earthly life ceases to be. When will this happen? I have no idea… only God, the Father, knows. However, as death is an appointment I must one day keep, I have chosen to conscientiously rehearse for that “day” as I want to be sure that everything that is important to God and me is in order before my spirit departs from my body. Putting-off important matters until post-death is too late. Setting important matters right, here and now, while there is time, is a wise practice.

Friends, I’ve experienced sleep every day of my life. Frankly, I don’t look forward to sleep times. I’d rather remain awake… preferring endless, conscious activity! I know, I need to be patient for the day when I will receive my new “zero-sleep” body. Apart from the obvious need of physical, mental and emotional rest to recharge and refresh I see sleep as a time when I can rehearse the occasion of my death… something I have practiced since day-one of my birth. In the 73+ yrs. I have lived, I have rehearsed my death 26,663 times (This number Includes one extra day for every leap year).

Jesus was Someone who rehearsed His death. On one occasion, He said to His disciples, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and teachers of religious law. They will sentence Him to die and hand Him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified…(Matt. 20:18-19)”… (cf.16:21; 17:22-23). Now, that’s what I call a tough script to rehearse!

This may seem strange to you but for quite some time I’ve seen a striking similarity between physical sleep and dying – Both occur instantaneously and independently to our control. Waking from sleep and the departure of the spirit from our physical bodies also occurs instantaneously and independently to our control.

As death is the final act of our earthly lives on the world-stage, why do many people spend all their time focused on “temporal” living, the here and now, and hardly any time thinking and planning for their “eternal” existence that awaits them, post death? Solomon wisely says, “Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies—so the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.  A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time” (Ecc.7:2-4).

Friends, I’m someone who is completely contented and satisfied with his lot on “terra firma”, no more than any other Christian believer who lives with an absolute, unshakable trust in the Lord. I have enjoyed this comforting sense of peace and well-being through practicing looking ahead to make right decisions that advantage me in every new temporal today and all my eternal tomorrows. That’s what I call sensible and responsible living. I know how and from where I’ve come. I know where I am. And, I know how and to where I am going. 

In next week’s article I will share with you several simple steps that I find helpful in rehearsing for my final curtain on the world-stage. Eternity is more important than the temporary-now. I want to be sure that my final act is right and ready.

Best wishes
Bill