Trust The One Who Defeated Death
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. … And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us.
-- Romans 8:18, 23
Death seems to be everywhere. Just yesterday cancer silenced the laughter of a dynamic woman who loved to play cards and gladly shared her bounty of lemons with her friends. The day before, one person’s decision to drive while drunk cost the brother-in-law of another friend his life.
Other friends struggle with health issues, fighting against death as heart issues and cancer try to claim them. Some people face financial stresses, worrying that they’ll still have a job and a paycheck tomorrow. Kids worry about fitting in at school. On and on and on. People are hurting. They’re scared. They’re ready for a better life.
As Christians we realize that this is not our home. Yes, we feel unsettled. Yes, we’re afraid. Yes, we suffer. But we know that a glorious future awaits us when, finally, we do go home for good.
One friend posted on Facebook to tell us about our mutual friend’s death. The announcement was not tragic or full of regret. It was, instead, a celebration of our friend’s healing. Yes, she is healed. The leukemia has lost and our friend now resides in her new, healthy body. She is with Jesus and we are glad that her suffering has ended.
Still, we know that her family’s suffering has only just begun. Her husband and children face a void that no one else can ever fill. I’m sure they are comforted by knowing they’ll see her again one day. But that comfort doesn’t erase the very real pain of their loss. Of their suffering. The heartache will remain with them always.
Friends and family will surround them in these days that come. And, then, slowly others will seek their own lives again. The family will be left to remember on their own. It is so important that we continue to pray, to reach out, to provide comfort and love as the days turn into weeks, then months. Because grief doesn’t end when everyone else goes home. In some ways, that’s when deep grief begins.
A friend has a wonderful idea to start a prayer even in the mornings. It’s a simple premise. Just provide a cup of coffee and a prayer for anyone who stops by. Some people might just need a quick “have a good day” moment. Others might need a healing touch and special strength to face a health issue, a marital dispute or a stressful job.
Prayer. It’s how we talk to God. It’s how we give Him all the fears and tears that are inside of us so He can fill us instead with healing and peace. We can pray for ourselves, of course. And we can pray for and with others as well. We can also allow God to use us to reveal Himself to those who are hurting.
Does anyone really leave this world without some degree of suffering and pain, of worry and fear? But all that is nothing compared to what awaits us at the end of this journey if we only trust in the One who defeated death.
No comments:
Post a Comment