When did you last visit a cemetery?

What would you say if I were to tell you that the Bible tells you to visit the cemetery? You might think that’s a stretch, but it’s not. To be specific, it actually gives a comparison: the house of mourning vs the house of feasting. According the Preacher, the former is the better choice! Let’s have a look at why.

Ecclesiastes 7:2  It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 

Let’s look at the first half: It is better. That is to say, it’s more desirable than the comparison. So if you have the choice to go party or go mourn, you are better to go mourn according to the Preacher. What would your natural inclination be?

You could stop right there. When the choice to go and make merry is present, the free will that we possess should ask the question, is this the best place for me to be right now? It requires a deeper understanding of why we do what we do. It’s understanding that what is more desirable to our senses is not necessarily the best thing, in fact, rarely is. It’s the maturity and wisdom that understands there is a necessity for a time to mourn and suffer.

It is better. It is better. It is better! Let that sink in! When was the last time you visited the cemetery?

The Preacher, however, does not leave it there. He goes on to explain why. Because when you come to the house of mourning, it’s the end of the road for the mortals in this life. It causes us to stop and consider what we are doing. Are we doing what really matters? Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Have I made the most of today? What are the best uses of my time?

In our fast-paced modern life, we often lose sight of those things that really matter. The things that we look back on when on the deathbed with happiness, not regret. My God, if only we could understand how much time and energy we waste on things that mean nothing or worse still, mean regret, pain, and suffering later.

When was the last time you visited the cemetery? If it’s been a while, take some time out and go there. Walk amongst the dead and read their epitaphs. Lay it to heart, for one day, you too will be there. Then go back to the living and make the most of this life God has given .