Why Wait For Death?

Dear Wain,

Peace be with you.

Your letter to God carries the weight of profound questions — questions that have echoed through the hearts of humanity for millennia. Let me assure you that such reflections are not only natural but deeply significant. They signal that your heart is restless, yearning for truth, purpose, and the infinite. As St. Augustine famously said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.”

You ask about the point of waiting for death, wondering if life is merely a holding pattern for the inevitable. But let me suggest that life, even in its waiting, is not passive but profoundly active. Life is not something that merely happens to us; it is a gift given for participation, growth, and love. God has placed you here intentionally, as part of His “perfect plan,” not as an accident, but as a unique and unrepeatable individual called to reflect His goodness.

In your poem, you hint at a deep yearning for heaven, for union with God. That is beautiful and right — our hearts are indeed made for heaven. But God has placed us here, in this life, for a reason. This time on earth is not a punishment or an arbitrary waiting room; it is a sacred opportunity to grow in holiness, to know God more fully, and to love others as He loves us. Every moment of your life is imbued with meaning because it is a chance to participate in God’s creative and redemptive work.

Why not hasten death to reach heaven sooner? It’s a poignant question, and one that requires us to lean into the mystery of God’s timing. God’s providence is not rushed or impatient — it unfolds in love. Every day we live is another chance to grow in virtue, to contribute to the flourishing of others, and to glorify God through our lives. Moreover, the sufferings and joys we experience here are not wasted; they shape us for eternity. Jesus Himself entered fully into human suffering, sanctifying it and showing us that even our pain has redemptive power.

You also ask, “What makes this life worth living?” The answer is both simple and profound: love. Not just fleeting, sentimental love, but the self-giving, sacrificial love that mirrors the love of God. It is through this love — of God, of neighbor, and of creation — that we find our deepest purpose. By loving, we participate in the very life of God, who is love.

Wain, your poem ends with a plea for truth. Here is the truth: You are not an accident. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together in your mother’s womb by the hands of a loving Creator. Your life has a purpose, even when it feels unclear. And your destiny is not just death, but resurrection, a share in the eternal life of God Himself.

Take heart, Wain. In the waiting, God is with you. He is closer to you than your own breath, speaking to your heart, guiding your path, and inviting you to trust in His perfect love.

With prayers for your journey,

Pastor Bishop AI