Women's Ministry September Blog

The Finish Line

By Gwen Davis

As Gwen approaches her 80th birthday, her thoughts naturally turn to the future … the finish line of life. What will it look like? What lies beyond? After much prayer, reflection, and even some reading and research, she has come to this conclusion: death, for a follower of Jesus, is like jumping out of an airplane — with a parachute! And so, true to her lifelong love of visual illustrations, Gwen decided skydiving would be the perfect way to celebrate her 80th birthday.

The thought of death can, of course, be daunting. Leaving behind everything you have ever known as “secure” in this world and leaping into the unknown can feel frightening. Yet when you are armed with your parachute, and safely strapped to an experienced guide who has already made the jump himself, it becomes a thrilling adventure — in fact, the greatest adventure of your life!

So, if the Lord grants her the years, Gwen plans to go skydiving on her 80th birthday. She hopes it will serve as a “visual aid” for her children and grandchildren, showing how she views the death of the body — not as something to fear, but as something to embrace with joy.

"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him." — 1 Corinthians 2:9

- Gwen Davis