As we stand at the top
of Divis Mountain
mists swirl all around
and all we can see
in front of us
are a few gorse bushes.

Beyond that …
nothing!
It really looks as if
the world … ends … here.

And yet I know
that when the mists lift
I will see before me
a panorama that spans
from the mighty Mournes
to the sweeping Sperrins
with Lough Neagh in between them
glinting
in the sunlight.

I know this
because I have seen it
many times.
And if someone were to tell me
that the world ends here,
I simply wouldn’t believe them.

In our secular world
we often find ourselves
in the company of people
who cannot see
beyond death
and who view death as
The End.

I cannot subscribe
to this view
Death is not The End.
Rather, it is The Beginning –
the beginning of Eternal Life
either with God
who knew us
before He formed us
in the womb –
or without God.

I know this
because Jesus told us
and I know this
because I have experienced
the deep love
that God has for me.

And so if someone tells me
or a whole clamour of voices tell me
that death is The End
I will know
not to believe them.
Because I have faith in Jesus.

Thanks be to God!

© Claire Murray, 7th June 2022