Not long ago, I watched an interview with a female hospice doctor on YouTube. She talked about her experience of seeing many people near death. One of the things that stood out to me was that she was able to learn about death. This was a bit of a challenge for me because I'm used to being told to prepare for death. It's called learning to die. They say it's important to learn about death because it changes your life course and attitude.

  One day, I looked around, and one by one, people who were close to me got sick, fell down, and went to meet the Lord first. In the mid-50s, I thought about the most important things in a given life. Since each life is different, I believe that there are many different thoughts and opinions. I'm going to try to summarize my thoughts today in a very simple way, based on my 55 years of life.

  First and foremost, I think the most important thing is the heart. I was born as an infant and raised by my parents with unconditional love. When I was in school, I was immature, so my thoughts and power were very limited. However, as an adult and after completing my military career, I can live as my heart leads me. I realized that life is lived according to my heart, and the answer to this realization is: "Guard your heart above all things, for it is from it that life comes" (Proverbs 4:23).

  The second most important thing is relationships. A senior pastor I admire and want to emulate said that relationships are the first thing to a healthy church and ministry. As I reflect on my past and present life, it is clear that it is all about relationships. Relationships with your spouse, family, friends, classmates, coworkers, etc. are what you must face if you want to keep your heart. In this regard, enlightenment in the Word is found in the "love of God and love of neighbor, which is the commandment in all the Law and the Prophets (2 Corinthians 4:4: Luke 10:27). The key to relationships is our relationship with God. 

  I think the third is Way. In my past life journeys, there have always been people where my heart and mind have gone. The journey you took with them in relationship was the Way, whether you walked, ran, biked, drove, sailed, or flew. Sometimes the Way took you over high mountains or through deep tunnels in life's struggles. Reflecting on the paths we have traveled, the best choice is to know and choose Jesus, who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).

  Just as it is natural to be born, grow, and live, it is also natural to die. However, I think it is wisdom to learn and prepare for death, which can come at any time, in the midst of life's lessons, so that we can renew our hearts and minds in today's real life, and appreciate the various relationships that are gifts in today's reality. Most of all, it will allow you to choose the path you take on the rest of your life's journey a little more carefully and wisely.