I headed out early this morning, aiming to arrive at the Post Office when it opened at eight. The sun was shining, the birds in the park twittered—it was gorgeous. A prayer popped into my mind: “Lord now you are letting your servant depart in peace…” The words of Simeon rolled off my tongue.
Wait. Why am I praying about dying?
I wondered if God was trying to tell me something. But the words kept coming as my heart brimmed:
Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel. (Luke 2:29-30)
And I thought, Simeon lived his whole life in anticipation of Christ. I want to live in complete anticipation of being united with Him forever.
I thought, I don’t know when I will die. When it’s time, I want to go without fear, with words of faith on my lips.
I thought, I can learn from this prayer. Even in the sunshine, even when it feels as if life can’t get any better, it’s good to remember that this life is only a journey to another.
