Yesterday morning arrived with some very sad news. We lost a young friend whom we loved and thought much of. Sadness, loss, grief, unmatched heaviness in thinking of his family, prayer, tears, relief, comfort all these words and so much more describe the emotions that have been roiling since the news.
I have no words, I have nothing to say. I only know that God is Sovereign. He is in control and my young friend is the only one who is not suffering at this time! This brings me comfort. He walks with God now, whole, happy, at peace and more alive than he has ever been before. Job 14:5 says "A person's days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed." Knowing that God is not caught by surprise and that He is in charge brings much comfort. The plans that God has for us are good and the ultimate ending of that plan is eternity in heaven with Him. It bothers me to hear people say that someone died too young or whatever. We die when our days on earth are done and He is the only One who knows when that is for each of us.
I am desperately sad. My dear friends are facing what is each parents worst nightmare, the loss of a child. I hurt for them. I am sad for what will never be, but the fact is his life did not end, his body is no longer but his spirit is soaring and he is completely happy, completely whole, no longer struggling with this world but in the presence of the very One who made him and loves him more than we can imagine. 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, 'yet we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.' We are the ones who hurt, we are the ones who suffer and miss him so much. We are the ones still 'groaning in this earthly house, longing to put on our house from heaven', 2 Corinthians 5:2.
I consider him one of the 'treasures stored up in heaven' that Matthew 6:20 talks about! His being there makes me even more anxious to go. None of us knows the days God has set for us, so our job is to set our minds on Him, to share the good news of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection with those who do not know Him and be ready ourselves for the time when we are called home. Luke 12:40 tells us to 'be ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.'
We grieve and we hurt and our young friend will be remembered and missed, but he is not suffering, he is not grieved as he is at home with His Savior forever!
Father God, You alone are able to bring comfort and peace. You alone know Your plans and Your purposes. We trust You. We know that we spend a lot of time making this earth our home, but truly home is in heaven with You. Thank You for the promise that You, Jesus, have gone to prepare a place for us. Thank You that there is no more death, separation, tears and pain in heaven. God give us a hunger for You and a desire to know You more and share You with others. May we take this moment to remember what James 4:14 tells us, 'you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.' So help us to live completely surrendered to You moment by moment and walk in Your ways. Please touch this precious family and give them an abundance of Your presence to hold them, comfort them and sustain them. May each of them run to You and find their hope in You alone.
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