Everyone has their beliefs as to what the Underworld involves, beliefs shaped by culture, traditions, and religions. It becomes even more perturbing when a loved one dies. We all have lost a loved one to death at a point in our life, many of them still young, vibrant full of vigor, with a long way to go and we just hope that they fight back their enemies, those who caused their death. It's consoling to believe, but can they really do anything to help themselves?
Today makes it exactly one week that I lost a dear friend who is like a brother. Our hearts are still heavy with pain and sadness. It's still a great shock to everyone that someone who was well and hearty, vigorous, and young, only 25 years of age, left the house without knowing that he would not return. A relative posted this morning asking the deceased to fight for himself and kill all his enemies who caused his death. Such thoughts are what helped soothe their heart, believing that the dead can actually do something or are more powerful in the underworld.
Moment of truth
Death is likened to a deep sleep. We all know how unconscious and helpless we are when in deep sleep. At that point, we don't take cognizance of what happens around us. We are completely helpless until we are fully awake. The same goes with death.
What keeps my hope burning is the hope of resurrection. Yes, we have lost someone dear to us, but he won't be in the grave forever because a time will come when all who had died will be resurrected. The sea will give up their dead, the graves and earth. That is the time I look forward to, and this hope keeps my flame burning and alive. It gives me comfort knowing that death is not the end of humankind. It's a state of deep sleep where we stay, until the call to wake up to resurrection.
This is what I also use to comfort those around me, sharing the scripture hope of resurrection which gives hope that many are unaware of.