On Wednesday, January 25th at 12:25PM, my dear grandmother went to sleep and woke up in the presence of the Lord, no doubt about it. Her faith was secure decades ago, but she kept on running her race, walking out her salvation with fear and trembling. Everyone, and I mean everyone, she encountered could see her love for Christ.
As humans, emotional beings, we tend to mourn the loss of a loved one because we remember the times we’ve shared and imagine how life will be going forward without this person who played a role in our life. And that’s okay, there’s a time for that. Yet, we do not mourn as the unbelievers that have no hope. For we know as real as death is, Heaven is real too.
Each time I begin to sorrowfully mourn my grandma's death, I have to check myself: “don’t you believe Heaven is real?” “Wasn’t she unquestionably saved?” (or as my brother called her a “professional Christian”) Then, I must know that now that she is absent from her body, she is present with the Lord.
"To the unbeliever, their last day on earth is the worst day of their life. To the believer, their last day on earth is the best day of their life." January 25, 2012, was the best day of my grandma's life, just short of a year after my grandfather was called home. Therefore, it is a celebration!
In the last couple weeks, several people I know have become bereaved. Today, I attended my friend’s father’s funeral. And I’d never really refer to a funeral as a “good” funeral but that was a good funeral/homegoing celebration. I left this funeral uplifted and encouraged by his life and legacy. This home going ceremony, coupled with the things people have been saying in honor of my grandma, as well as the fact that we are pilgrims, passing through this vapor of a life, motivate me more, to live with my eyes on Heaven.
The question before me now and henceforth is: What will I say when I get to Heaven? I’m just thinking of that video of my life that will play with the choices I made and the choices I am making. For example, imagine, how embarrassing it will be for me to try to explain an offense I held in my heart (or something else sinful). When I’m at the judgment seat of Christ, accounting for everything I’ve said, done, or thought, how will I explain all my choices to my Father? If the opportunity presents itself, which I'd imagine it could, since we'll be there forever: what will I say to my brother or sister in Christ? "Oh yeah that time….yeah I was mad because….and yeah that was it. *blank stare* Yeah, it seems really lame and petty, I don’t even know how I could let that affect me. I wish I handled that differently. Thank God He let me in, even after that. So, yeah....” *awkward* Mercy me.
Philippians 3: 18-20 --actually read the whole chapter, letter, testament, etc. for context :)We get caught up in all these trivial things of the world that will have no value in the age to come. I want to live my life with a Heavenly Hindsight. I will (
For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ
"So I won't lose heart on this journey, in this vapor called life."
Wow, one of the best reflections I read from you thus far. Believe me as I write these words and say this truly is convicting. God bless you.
ReplyDelete