This year has brought several passings at Journey Church, all equally difficult for those who knew and loved the departed.
The heavens rejoice that bodies are healed and souls have returned to the Father. But in the midst of our grief and sorrow, existing in the void the person left behind, we cry for God to be near to us, the brokenhearted. We begin the long journey of moving forward, knowing that healing is far away – if it’s ever fully achieved at all.
Despite the overwhelming sadness that lingers during these seasons, I am reminded that there are lessons to be gleaned from the saints who have gone before us.
Death reminds us how fleeting and short life is. And while, as Kingdom-people, our hearts and minds should be heavenly-focused, there is much to be done while still here on earth. People to love, lives to change, truths to convey. The death of an influential and special person often spurs us towards greatness. Suddenly, our current station seems ordinary and dull. We recognize that we have been settling for mediocrity. We vow to become more like those whom we lost, making quiet covenants with ourselves to honor the departed by demonstrating just a fraction of the Godly attributes they exemplified – the fruits of the Spirit, as found in Galatians 5:22-23, “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
The departed saints would remind us to keep pushing forward. In Hebrews 12:1-2, the Apostle Paul stated, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Those who have passed before us, now in the presence of our Savior, are encircling present believers. We are to remember who they were and how they lived, and to be encouraged by their example.
One day, all of us will enter the great ocean St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton refers to in her famous quote, “We must often draw the comparison between time and eternity. This is the remedy of all our troubles. How small will the present moment appear when we enter that great ocean.”
“You, God, rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.” – Psalm 89:9
“He who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:6
The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.
There is a time to be born, and a time to die.
The concept of eternity challenges us and stirs us. May we honor the memory of the saints who have gone before us by being more pleasing to God, by loving others well, and by living more boldly. All for the sake and glory of Jesus.
