Life is full of big questions, and often the simplest one is the most profound: What happens when I die?
Perhaps you’ve thought about it late at night. Maybe a loved one’s illness brought it to your mind. Or maybe it comes to you during quiet moments—when you finally pause from balancing kids’ schedules, work tasks, and family life. This pressing question stirs within: Will I be with God?
Why “With” Matters
Consider how comforting it is to simply be with someone you care about. Sitting with your child at bedtime, walking alongside a friend in tough times, or holding a loved one’s hand in a hospital room. Being with matters.
That’s why this question—*God, will You be with me?*—resonates so deeply. At its heart, it’s not just about fearing the unknown. It’s about longing for connection, acceptance, and peace. It captures the greater risk of abandonment or being without, when we think about milestones in our lives and who or how we will approach them or be equipped to handle them.
What Scripture Says
The Bible does not avoid this topic. It offers a clear answer:
- For those who believe in Jesus, the answer is a definite yes. “Today you will be with me in paradise,” Jesus told the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43).
- For those who reject Him, the answer is sadly no. Scripture teaches that lack of belief results in being eternally separated from God (John 3:18).
Death is itself separation—of body from soul, of us from our loved ones, and, most painfully, of humanity from God. However, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, separation does not have the final say. Believers can be assured that the moment they close their eyes in this life, they will open them in the presence of Christ. This is the true promise at the core of our faith, that in God’s love for us He ensured we’d never be abandoned, He would always be with us.
Why This Matters for Us
It’s easy to set aside thoughts of eternity when life gets hectic. Work, bills, kids’ sports, family dinners—who has the time to think about death? It’s also tempting to avoid the sadness that those thoughts carry, or the mystery of how that point in time will take shape. Indeed, we’re wired, by nature, to strive to live and avoid death. But the reality is, everyone you love will face eternity. And so will you.
This isn’t meant to frighten you. It’s intended to guide you to hope. If you’ve trusted in Jesus, you can be assured that your eternity is secure. If not, now is the time to ask tough questions and find the peace only He can offer.
The Best Part of Heaven
We often picture heaven as a reunion with loved ones or relief from pain. These things are indeed true. But the most wonderful part of heaven is being with Christ—the One who knows you completely, loves you perfectly, and gave His life so you could be with Him forever.
Takeaway
You don’t have to wait until the end of your life to find the answer to this question. God promises, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He is with you now—in the middle of carpool lines, deadlines, and late-night worries. Because of Jesus, you can be confident that He will be with you for eternity as well. And if that questioning still feels difficult, invite the Lord to shine a light on the reasons why, and ask for His guidance in praying through those difficulties. Allow Him to show you His goodness, even in better understanding His promise.
Click here to view this corresponding sermon, which can help you strengthen your own belief, or provide helpful resource you can share with others who may be questioning eternity too.
Looking for a place to ask your questions about faith? Shepherd’s Gate Church in Shelby Township is a community where you’ll find hope, support, and real answers from God’s Word. Come as you are—you’ll be welcomed, valued, and loved.
