SHOULD I BE AFRAID? . . . "NOT A MAN LIKE YOU"

  By Jim Martin/euronitram54@gmail.com
                                                   
  I was watching one of my favorite movies again with the title "Meet Joe Black" starring Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt. The story line has had a great impact on my life since seeing it the first time because I can relate to it. Maybe you will too--if you are able to mentally exchange places with Anthony Hopkin's character in the movie and wonder "what now" ?
  Anthony Hopkins was a very wealthy man about to turn age 65 and life was grand with the exception that his wife was deceased but he had two Daughters who loved him very much. The family was having a dinner at the Pent House in the City that night when an unknown visitor came by during the meal. His housekeeper took the man to the library/office and informed Anthony that he had a guest. Anthony had some severe chest pains the previous days and each time, he would hear a voice talking to him but didn't know where it was coming from. So he cautiously left the meal to go see this "unknown" visitor. As he entered the room, he realized this was no ordinary mortal. As a matter of fact, he was not really mortal but was using the body of a young man his Daughter had met the same day.Anthony now knew through a detailed conversation with this Angel of death,played by Brad Pitt, that he was there to take him to the other side. Brad told him in stern terms that he would be spending a couple of weeks with Anthony before it was time to go. When he introduced him to the family, Anthony pulled a name from the air and named him Joe Black. No one but Anthony could know the real identity of this Angel of death as that was part of the instructions. The next two weeks created much frustration and many questions because Joe was involved in all decision making and never left Anthony's side. His daughter knew something was different about Brad's character but fell for him anyway.
  Now put yourself in Anthony's place as I have many times. He had lived an exemplary life with incredible success and a great reputation. Yet, he was about to give it all up . Not if--but when.  Your mortal life is over in two weeks and your mind is spinning. All the things I wanted to do in life--all the places I wanted to see--all the things I wanted to say to people--all the things I wanted to do to help others. I knew that I had a purpose in being here on Earth but thought I had more time. Why me? Why Now? He was told there are reasons for everything and they had a plan for him.
  We wake up daily and whether we are 20 or 65, our mind is telling us that we have many many years to live so there is "plenty" of time do things for others--to accomplish those plans and goals--to tell people things you always wanted to say but put it off. But, if you are in Anthony's place, you have two weeks. "Oh yes, forgot that ".
  So now the frustration kicks in because how will you accomplish all you had planned in two weeks. And the other question of what kind of life have I led so far and how will I be judged ? Have I been kind to people and tried to help others. Have I smiled and helped others to have a better day--and work through their problems. Have I been a good Parent by building my children's self esteem and told them how much I love them? Have I been a good spouse and loved my spouse--and told them enough? Have I worshiped, been a good Christian and been Christ like in the way I lived. But wait, you are only mentally in Anthony's place and don't have a two week deadline.
  So now it is all better and you have 20 to 80 years to do all that "stuff". "Ya Think"?? You see, Anthony was lucky. The Angel of Death came and gave him a time frame. Mine and yours can end the next car ride or plane trip--or maybe not wake-up.
  So how do we live if we don't have an Angel of death at our door giving us a check-out time? We live as if everyday is our last as a mortal. We live to help others because in the end , that is what brings true happiness and is actually why we are here.
  A HUGE 65th Birthday party was given at night for Anthony's character at his mansion. His Daughter now knew who Brad really was and also knew in moments that she would never see her Father again as a mortal. As she watched her Father and the Angel of death walk over the moonlit hill, with celebration fireworks and hundreds of people at the party, Anthony stopped  and asked, "Should I be afraid"? And the Angel of death smiled and said "Not a Man Like You" ! To live our lives by helping others and making a difference in this World , just might earn all of us a final answer like that.

By Jim Martin