A Personal Letter to my Family about Death, Illness, and God —
by Dave Seivright
Dear Beloved Family,
We are an exceptionally blessed family and this gives me thankfulness, joy and peace.
Everybody has to die someday, including me. Please remember when I die, that I love each and every one of you in a special way, and I pray regularly for each of you. However I have no desire to die in the near future as I believe that God has a lot of ministry for me to do before I go to heaven, The Bible says that the day of my death is appointed by God. The Apostle Paul said:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now, a crown is being held for me — a crown for being right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give the crown to me on that day — not only to me but to all those who have waited with love for him to come again.” (2 Timothy 4:5-8)
I am convinced that God does not want me to die until I have finished the very important ministry that He has left for me to do. So, like the apostle Paul, I press on to finish the race that HE has pre-determined for me to complete.
On a personal note, I look forward to seeing David and Ruth, my loving parents. But I am still passionately in love with Pauline, my wife, whom I do not wish to be ”left behind”. It would be great is we both go to heaven together to be with Jesus at the same time. However, I digress – that is His business.
I am blessed with an exceptional family, I love each of you in a unique and special way. Pauline and I particularly thank God for each of our grandchildren. Each grandchild is so special, and loved unconditionally by us. What a blessing! It is my hope that all my family and dear friends will come to have a personal relationship with Jesus and that we all will be able to be reunited with Jesus in heaven. He Is awesome. My favorite worship hymns include “Hallelujah, what a Savior” and ”How Great Thou Art”. The greatest reward of heaven is not only having a face-to-face eternal relationship with Jesus, but also with all those friends and family who also have a personal relationship with Him, through His death and resurrection. Material blessings are temporary, but relationships can be eternal.
We may have “troubles” now, but if we know Jesus personally, we should dance, and party, and worship Him, as each day brings us closer to Our Lord’s return. We happily look forward to His coming when all things will be set right by Him and put under His feet. However, regardless of what we believe about the 2nd coming of Christ, we know from Biblical prophecy that life for some will involve some terrible events, including a 3rd World War (Armageddon) and the terrible persecution of all genuine believers who are alive at that time.
”Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Read carefully Ephesians 6:10-13).
One of my requests of you is that you please take time to carefully listen. Listen for that still small voice of God speaking to you. Read the Gospel of John and the Letter to the Romans; God has given me the wisdom to understand from His Word, some of what is going on in the world. With age comes more wisdom. If you ever need help or advice from me, I would be delighted to help you, if I am able.
So don’t worry or be concerned about anything, instead pray about everything. Let us all enjoy one another during the months or years that we have left together on this beautiful planet created by God for our enjoyment.
Love, Dave ❤️ 🙏🙏😊✝️✝️
DAVE SEIVRIGHT, a former lawyer from Jamaica, is a graduate of the University of Liverpool, UK, and Westminster Theological Seminary, USA. He also did graduate studies at L’Abri Fellowship in Switzerland, and Trinity College in England. He has been married to PAULINE for 58 years. They have 4 children and 11 grandchildren.
Dave had the privilege of being personally mentored by the late Dr. Francis Schaeffer, and also by Dr. J. I. Packer. Dave was also mentored by the teachings and writings, and by personal interaction with the late Dr. John Stott. Dave attempts to pass on to others the things he learned from these great men of God. Combining his studies of interpretation and evidence as a lawyer with his studies of philosophy, apologetics, and theology, Dave has taken a special interest in the subject of “Worldviews” and the influence of Christianity on the culture of Western civilization. Dave has devoted his time to teaching the Christian worldview worldwide, and mentoring and discipling very intelligent young professionals, particularly in Miami, and in Germany.
