"...And He Died"

Jack LaLanne, the fitness guru who influenced millions to eat properly and exercise regularly, died yesterday at the age of 96.  His television show and writings changed the lives of people for better.  He not only taught good health practices, but he lived by them as well.  His motto was, "If God didn't make it, man shouldn't eat it."  He blazed a trail that no one had traveled up to that time and changed the eating habits of more than one generation.  He was famously quoted as saying, "I can't die, it would ruin my image."  I understand what he was trying to say, but, technically, he was wrong about that.

While none of us know the day of our death (Gen. 27:2), it is for certain that we shall die (Heb. 9:27).  Even though the people mentioned in Genesis chapter five lived an average of more than 907 years, the phrase, "...and he died," is repeated eight times.  While death is a sad experience, it is a common one.  We may prolong life by exercising regularly and eating properly, but we cannot avoid death.  The important question is, "After death, what then?"  Have we properly prepared for eternity?