Part 1:
What and where and why?
What is the meaning of all this?
Where is all this pain coming from?
Why does this have to be reality?
You see, two of my uncles have passed away in this last month. One was a complete shock, while the other was a slower process. I am here, far, far away from home trying to understand how someone can be living and breathing one moment and the next be non-existent.
Death, I think I found your sting.
I am grieving and in pain because I loved them and now where are they. Not in Colorado, I know that. They were stolen out of my grip. They are no longer in my reach.
The result of humanity’s decision to eat of the fruit in the garden is death. Yes, sin also happens, but our main concern is death, eternal separation from God. The very worst situation to be in. We were never meant for death, we were meant to live eternal lives alongside of our Creator. Our curiosity and lack of obedience/trust caused us to step into mortal lives.
No one can fight death. No human can become immune to this grave problem.
You know how you never have words to comfort someone when one of their loved ones has died? Like the only way to really help is just sit with them in their pain? That’s because death was never supposed to happen. Knowing how to comfort people in the pain of losing someone is not in our makeup.
The Lord never meant for us to live like this. That is why death hurts so much. We were meant to live in communion with God and other humans forever and ever. We have the capability to love in this setting. We have the capability for eternal love. That is why it is so confusing to have an ending point. We are configured for more. A gap that no human could ever close or bridge or fix.
Then, Jesus.
The Bridge between mortal versus eternal. The Bridge between an ending versus forever. The Bridge between sorrow and joy. The Bridge between life versus death.
The Bridge between the gap.
Our hope for better, for life, for reunion falls in the loving palms of the One who bridges gaps.
Messiah / You’re Beautiful
“When we arrive at eternity’s shore Where death is just a memory and tears are no more We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring Your bride will come together and we’ll sing, you’re beautiful.”
I often imagine my uncles arriving on eternity’s shore. Walking into glory. Meeting Jesus face to face and embracing each other. Their spirit finally understanding that this, yes this, is what they were meant for.
Part 2: (I am really into these part one and part twos).
What if that loved one stepped away from communion with God? What if you have not seen them in years because of family issues?
I asked the Lord what and how big His Grace is. He answered.
“It is deeper than the deepest ocean.”
“It’s farther then the longest country road.”
“it’s encapsulating from the moment you walk into it.”
The Lord’s grace reaches far and deep and all around. I can rest in that knowledge.
