“It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.” — The Preacher (Ecclesiastes 7:2)
When in the “house of feasting” so to speak, our minds are on the things of this world. When in the “house of mourning” so to speak, our minds are on the things of eternity. This is because mourning is brought about by death, and death (whether we realize it or not) is the gateway to eternity. Nothing stirs one’s soul more than to realize that death “is the end of all mankind.” Death is inevitable, and death is near. When we realize that eternity is at our doorstep, the trivial things of this world begin to pale in comparison. Therefore we must “lay [this realization] to heart,” and stop living for the fleeting pleasures of this life and start living for the eternal God who grants an eternal life of unmatched pleasure through faith in Christ. Therefore, let death humble you, today, so that it does not condemn you, forever.