Sean Taylor was an all star football player. He was murdered this week and died at the age of 24. Shot by an intruder, he was protecting his 18 month old child and the child's mother.
Wednesday I was on the treadmill at Gold's Gym. ESPN flashed words that Sean had spoken some time ago. "It is important not to fear death. when your time comes, it comes. I've been blessed by God.I'm happy."
His life had taken some rough turns and he had been involved in some dicey activities,even before his tragic death. Certainly,family and friends and those of us who only know him through the media, can find a sad contentment that he was happy in himself, before he died.At least that is what he said.
Is it true though that `When your time comes, it comes.' Does God, Fate,Nature allow each person only so many days of breath and life? If that is true, then why do we bother intervening in situations where we are confronting disease? IF God has already decided the number of our days, why bother with doctors or medicine or nutrition or exercise. I think the philosophers characterize this attitude as Fatalism--and yes, in some ways it may help us overcome our fear of death. But as I have argued in earlier posts, I certainly don't believe it.
We can overcome some of our fear of death by faith in some kind of afterlife. Of course, it may just be wishful thinking. But for some of us, we have confidence that something of our essence continues on into the next reality and that confidence is based on our personal experiences as well as the testimony of others.
I choose FAITH over FATALISM. What do you think? How do you choose?
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