Before You Die

He was the co-author of the travel guide, “100 Things to Do Before You Die”. But it now appears he may not see the fulfillment of the dream he encouraged others to live.

Dave Freeman, age 47, died on August 17th after falling and hitting his head in his Venice, California home. The graduate from the University of Southern California had moved to the West coast to be near family. (Before that, he had actually watched the second plane hit the World Trade Center from his nearby apartment on September 11, 2001.)

In his book he wrote, “This life is a short journey. How can you make sure you fill it with the most fun and that you visit all the coolest places on earth before you pack those bags for the very last time?” Freeman's relatives said he visited about half the places on his list before he died.

While the unexpected and sudden death of anyone in the prime of life is sad, there is something far more troubling and noteworthy. In reality, there is only one thing that must be done before we die, or “pack those bags for the very last time.” as Freeman put it. Simply stated, we must travel to one sacred place - the foot of the cross where Jesus Christ died to provide our forgiveness of sin. Coming to God’s Son by faith will instantaneously redirect our eternal journey from the worst possible destination – hell, to the ‘coolest’ place imaginable – heaven!

Then along with salvation comes the opportunity and responsibility to live a life that is not focused on entertainment and on meeting our own whims, desires or dreams. Instead we are rerouted to a life of sacrifice for others and redirected to worthwhile service for God.

The Bible agrees fully with Freeman that “This life is a short journey.” The writer James states it this way. “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14) But unlike the deceased author’s title suggests, the Scriptures relate how life’s priority is not to be achieving as much fun and adventure as humanly possible. And those who lend themselves to this end will generally miss the greatest thrill of all. They will never know that serving God brings more joy and satisfaction than any temporary excitement the world can ever offer.

When considering the duration and fragile nature of life, there is really just one thing everyone must deal with before they die. And a failure to spiritually prepare for the journey through this life, and that which follows, leaves one to face all alone the most sobering question of all. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

Bill Breckenridge