Nothing brings the meaning and purpose into perspective than a brush with death, or the untimely and premature death of a loved one. Had I known last summer my visit with a close friend of 30 years would be the last time I saw her face to face, the departing hug would have been tighter and longer, the shared prayer more fervent, the words of admiration and appreciation more verbose. Each funeral I attend has me committing to be more generous with “I love yous” but my list of regrets keeps growing for not expressing it more frequently.
The hope that eases the heartache of each person’s passing is that the separation is temporary. There will be more heart to heart chats and memories made together in the future when God closes this chapter of Earth’s history and brings all those who love Him to their heavenly home.
The Bible gives me assurance that the same God who formed the first human body by hand from the dirt and breathed life into existence can and will do the same again.
I am comforted by a God who can be close to the brokenhearted because He shares our grief, and is a co-mourner. Our pain is not His gain. He waits with patience and long-suffering till we can all share in the joy of our forever reunion (Hebrews 11:39-40). The number of loved ones I’ve lost is adding up as the years pass but it doesn’t compare to the loss and longing of God carries. If it were up to me I’d make the call and schedule Jesus return already but 2 Peter 3:9 points us to an unfathomable love who…”bears patiently with you, His desire being that no one should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
May you take it as good news that God will suspend His gratification and victory celebration until everyone has had a chance to make their choice to be part of His eternal plans or not.