From Death to Life

I came across this assignment that I wrote, with my dad's help, back in 11th grade. I had an English teacher who was a little morbid and obsessed with death and things of the sort. She gave us two unusual assignments. One was to make our own tombstone (out of cardboard) and write our 'last word' and the estimated year of our death on it. The second assignment was to write our own epitaph. Being a Believer and knowing that there is life after death, I desired to use it as an opportunity to share Christ and the eternal life He gives. Here they are...

Tombstone- I chose to put one verse:

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies…do you believe this?” John 11:25

Epitaph:

From Death to Life

project due in 11^th grade (3/14/95)

Looking back over my life that seemed,

Endless, tiring, and so long

I’ve come to realize that life is but

A vapor and soon gone

The world spoke of doing my thing and seeking a way of my own

But this only led me to futile pursuits

And fruitless seeds sown

Looking back I realize the wisdom of man is

Foolishness and limited to three score and ten

And my conscience regularly reminded me of

My accountability before God and men

Though Temples, Cathedrals, and Shrines

Give the illusion to appease

It is the revelation of God’s true love

That brought me to my knees

For humanity fears death and

Self-righteousness blinds so no one can see

The ultimate purpose of life

Is to trust in the one who conquered death

And gained the victory

For whenever or however

You pass through death’s door

There’s no turning back

For it was while I was living

That I trusted and now I am eternally secure