Taking his dark, weathered hands in mine, we bowed to pray. As a custodian (him) and as a teacher (me), our different life experiences intersected in my tiny office this week. His mother had been sick for some time, and the disease that had previously been confined to one area had now spread to her entire body. Confident of God’s ability to heal, we prayed for Him to restore her body—and we also asked for the miracle of comfort that supersedes death. Tonight, her son sits by her bedside and knows he will soon have to say goodbye. For now, anyway.
Keepsakes, memories, final words. Death is never easy, even when we have months to prepare. We do all we can to hold on to those we love for just a little longer because, even for the believer, the separation brought on by death feels so permanent in light of our grief. We were designed for the eternal; we were not made for loss.
Something inside us cries for everlasting life and hope.
How beautiful is hope for believers in Jesus: “Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever” (1 Thessalonians 5:10). We can have confident hope in the One who made and sustains us (Revelation 1:8, 4:11).
Our security isn’t in what we can see any more than in what we can control. Relive the places of laughter, remember the arms that used to encircle you with strength, and hear again the voice that sweetly said, “I love you.” And comfort other believers with this truth: Jesus is alive, and “whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever” (1 Thessalonians 5:10). In Christ our hope is full!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 3:22-36
More:
Read Psalm 116:1-19 and consider how its words provide a framework for grieving.
Next:
How can we bring comfort to someone who’s uncertain about the eternity of a loved one who has died? What gives you hope today?
Gary Shultz on June 20, 2015 at 6:26 am
I especially like your words “we were not made for loss”, God has always cared. Your question; however, does haunt me as we recently lost a member of the extended family. How do we bring comfort in the face of uncertainty? The second part is much easier, but comfort in uncertain endings to me has no comforting answer. In some cases possibly hope, but in other cases very little hope can be shared. I’d love to hear your response. Thank you.
Regina Franklin on June 20, 2015 at 9:52 pm
Dear Gary–your question is very poignant and real. While I do not have a definitive answer, I will share with you where my husband and I have come to in asking the same question. Several years ago, a family member passed away. Our children knew that we had been praying for this individual to have a true encounter with Christ. When that person died, without our having any clear indication of a transformation in his life, our children asked the inevitable question as to where this family member would spend eternity. I remember my husband, his voice and eyes overwhelmed with tears, answering them in this way–“I cannot give you a definite answer because I do not see into eternity, but there are three things we know about God. First, God is good in all things; our loss does not change his goodness. Second, He fully loving and because He is fully loving, we can know He pursued this individual to the very end. Third, He is fully just and that means, whatever decision God made about this person’s eternity, it was the right one.” This is the ground on which we have chosen to place our feet. I am praying for you as I write this response, especially as I am acutely aware of the inadequacy of words. May the Lord continue to comfort you without measure and remind you daily of His unfailing love and goodness.
Gary Shultz on June 21, 2015 at 6:29 am
A very wise and good answer, reflecting on God’s position and heart. This is a keeper, thank you so much.