Why remembering your mortality is a deeply spiritual act
We don’t like to talk about death.
It’s the uninvited guest at the dinner table of life, always lurking, never welcomed. We fill our days with busyness, distraction, and noise. We chase comfort, validation, and a sense of control. But beneath it all, many of us are running from the same silent truth:
This life will end.
But what if, instead of being afraid of that fact, we learned to see it as a gift?
Scripture doesn’t avoid death, it confronts it head-on.
The writer of Ecclesiastes, with raw honesty, declares:
“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.” (Eccl. 7:2)
That’s not the kind of verse that makes it onto a mug or bumper sticker. But it’s wisdom. Because the person who remembers their days are numbered, lives differently.
They stop pretending this life is about building bigger barns (Luke 12:16–21). They stop hustling for applause and chasing possessions as if they’re eternal. They stop giving so much weight to the opinions of people who won’t even be at their funeral.
They begin to care deeply about what truly matters to God.
Jesus didn’t just talk about death. He embraced it, to bring life.
At the heart of the Christian faith is the cross: a brutal death that brings about resurrection life. Jesus, knowing His time was short, lived intentionally, loved sacrificially, and served humbly.
He didn’t waste a moment.
He didn’t fear death, He faced it.
And in doing so, He robbed it of its power.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us:
“…that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Heb. 2:14–15)
Death loses its sting not because it disappears, but because Christ has conquered it. That changes how we live.
The Christian doesn’t deny death. We redeem our time because of it.
Paul says it straight:
“Make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:16)
And Moses prayed:
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Ps. 90:12)
That wisdom doesn’t make you fearful, it makes you focused.
You become less reactive.
Less easily offended.
More present with the people in front of you.
More anchored in the eternal than the urgent.
So what should we care about?
When death becomes a lens rather than a fear, we start to care more about:
- Living out the Gospel than looking successful
- Loving people well rather than proving a point
- Honouring God in the hidden moments rather than hustling for recognition
- Being faithful, not famous
In short: we stop giving our energy to things that don’t matter, and start investing it in what does.
Final Thoughts:
The world says YOLO live like there’s no tomorrow.
The Gospel says Memento Mori , remember your tomorrow, so you can live today with eternal purpose.
So maybe the most spiritual thing you can do today is to pause… and remember that you will die.
Because when you do, you’ll start living like someone who really knows they’ve been given life eternal.
Scripture Reflection Questions:
1. Ecclesiastes 7:2 “It is better to go to a house of mourning…”
- What do you think the writer means by this?
- Have you ever had a moment of loss or grief that clarified your values?
- How can you apply that clarity to the way you live today?
2. Luke 12:16–21 Parable of the Rich Fool
- What made the man in the parable foolish, according to Jesus?
- What are some “bigger barns” we might be tempted to build in modern life?
- How can we reorient our time, money, and energy toward what matters eternally?
3. Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days…”
- What does numbering your days look like practically?
- Are there areas in your life where you’re living as if time is unlimited?
- What intentional shift can you make this week to live more wisely?
4. Hebrews 2:14–15 “…deliver those who through fear of death…”
- In what ways does fear of death (or loss, or failure) affect your daily choices?
- How does Jesus’ victory over death empower you to live with courage and peace?
5. Ephesians 5:16 “Make the most of every opportunity…”
- What opportunities might God be placing in front of you right now?
- Are there distractions or fears holding you back from acting on them?
- What would “making the most of today” look like for you?
