LOVE, LOVE LIVING … BUT CAN HARDLY
WAIT FOR HEAVEN! It’s been a long, long
time since I have had so many people talk to me about death as they have this
week. It’s a subject that most people
avoid bringing up in casual conversation, but when death occurs their emotions
rise to the surface and words come spilling out. After all, when hearts are broken, there is a
cry for consolation and comfort and peace.
It all started with a sad, tragic story that touched one of my
co-workers … but in the days that ensued, stories of loss after loss began to
come to light. Semi-truck and pick-up
truck accident – that left a young man in his early forties who was “the king
of fitness” in this community – dead. Real
people, right where we live. All
young. All encountered tragic accidents
that snuffed their lives out. No one was
planning on their lives ending; and people began asking serious questions. Why?
What’s happening? Those who lost
their lives were all connected with people that I know and see most every
day. But back to the young lady who
poured out her tearful story to me just a week ago. She was struggling so deeply with what she
had seen as she came upon an accident that was literally happening before her
very eyes just up ahead. As if watching an
action movie being played out, she saw the vehicle flip many times – perhaps ten
times. When it finally came to a rest,
being an EMT, she rushed to the aid of the people inside. Arriving before anyone else did, she
witnessed the critical status of those trapped in the vehicle. The man kept asking how his wife was, but my
co-worker assessing the situation, attempted to help the little toddler in the
baby seat first. She could tell this
little one’s life was hanging in the balance, so she did all she could do to
try to save the child. But … soon the
small child breathed its last breath.
The man continued to yell for his wife, so my friend moved up to the
front passenger seat where she saw a young woman that with one glance told her
there was nothing she could do. So she
just bent close and tried to comfort her, and then she heard her say, “I’m
eight months pregnant!” And then … she
was gone. By now the officers and
medical team had arrived, so my friend let them step in to take care of the man
who was badly injured but looked as if he would survive. And then her eyes caught some movement in the
rear of the vehicle – there sat another child, a little boy, seemingly
unhurt. She turned to leave – she had
done all she could do. But the faces,
the sights, the voices, the words all haunted her day and night, and she
wondered why it happened and why she was the first on the scene. Her heart was broken. I listened.
I confessed I sure didn’t have all the answers. Who does, especially when there is untimely
tragedy? But I told her that I knew the
One who was there in those riveting, horrific moments. I told her He was there
with everyone in that vehicle. And I
told her that while it perhaps didn’t seem comforting, God had chosen her to be
placed there at that appointed time – to be the first one that those precious people
saw coming to help them, and the sweet face they saw as they took their last
breath. I told her I didn’t know how she
felt about God, but that He had hand-picked her for that assignment and that He
would be there for her in the aftermath of what she had experienced. I told her that the moment that little one
stopped breathing, that child was being held by Jesus in heaven. I told her how the very moment that young
pregnant mom drew her last breath, her unborn baby was also being cradled in
the arms of Jesus. The mom? I do not
know where she stood with God. I told my
friend if she knew Jesus she was there watching Him hold her children. If she did not … that is the ultimate tragedy
of any death. Because it becomes a death
for eternity – with no hope of heaven, ever.
Hell is the most horrific tragedy that can come to any living soul,
because it never ends – it never goes away.
But for those who know Jesus personally, any death here – no matter the
age or tragic circumstance, it is the glorious journey from earth to
heaven. It is just the beginning of a
celebration that lasts forever that will never, ever end! It is life with our Lord and Savior, our
heavenly Father … an ongoing pouring out of worship and praise and adoration in
the most indescribable, amazing place that is way, way beyond our wildest
imagination! For Jesus is there! When my co-worker spoke with me, I was not in
a place where I could pray with her, but you can be sure that I will invite her
to a time and place where I can freely ask her where she is going – when she
breathes her last! Dear ones, this is
what this life on earth is all about … it’s about making ourselves available to
God to send us out as the first responders, rescuing those who are lost and
injured, throwing out Eternity’s lifeline – while there is still breath in
them! We dare not wait … another hour,
another day could be too late! Let’s
love our God-given lives here on earth … but let’s pursue souls for heaven!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
THIS SUNDAY, AUG 4:
10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP
10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH
SATURDAY, AUG 10:
9:00 A.M. - BARNABAS TEAM MEETING at the church
Be in prayer for our leadership that God will anoint and
guide them in all planning and decision making!
NEXT SUNDAY, AUG 11:
10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP / COMMUNION
10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH
FOLLOWING THE SERVICE - Annual Church Picnic at
Mineral Springs Park - please check out the sign-up
sheet!
ELEVATION NORTH SPOTLIGHT!
All women are
encouraged to consider attending this year’s Women of Faith Conference in St.
Paul on October 18-19 … and to finalize plans for this incredibly blessed
event! You will definitely experience
God’s anointing! Pray about who else you
can invite! They will be encouraged and
strengthened in the Lord through this ministry! Be sure to see Debbie for more details!
REMEMBER . .
. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not
be afraid.” ~ John 14:27
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
