When all is said and done.
When we die, we go to Him.
When we live, have we died yet? Let me explain.
I’ve been to several funerals in my life. These were such honorable men, women, and young people. I have many memories of them, and love them deeply. Recently, we had to bury my Grandfather, the Reverend Paul Gonzales. I carry his first name as my middle name. It is an honor.
As I’ve sat through these funerals, it causes the question in me to arise…what is life about? What is death about? Without getting long winded here, I will keep this direct to the message I would like to share today.
When we die, we go to Him. It’s all about Jesus. It’s all about the Father. In our death, our true meaning for life is revealed, and that is Him, God almighty.
This then leads to a question about life. If death reveals that it’s about going home to Him, then wouldn’t life also need to be about this?
I can’t find any other reason for living. They all fall short.
For many years I have put a lot of hope and trust in things that come up short. And most of these things are good things. Life is full of wonderful things – friends, work, a spouse, children, the ocean, beaches, vacations, holiday gatherings, music, art, and so much more. But even all of these fall short. Not one of them can be the point, the purpose, the meaning for life, for existence. They are great, wonderful, and to be enjoyed. And they help provide for a life fully lived. But they all fall short.
They fall short of being ‘it.’
It – is God. The Father. He is the fulfillment. He is our reason for being, for living. And He is the one revealed in our death.
I was led to share this with you, this morning. I hope there is hope found in your life, and even in death, by finding the one who will give and be that meaning.
I am in this journey with you. How impatient, selfish, and misguided my heart and mind get many times. And it’s His grace, that loves me, you, and this world, to guide us to Himself. Because until we are, we are left yearning, unsatisfied, and disappointed with what seemed like it could fulfill. Which can lead towards anger, bitterness, resentment, and even turning our hearts and lives away from Him, the one we blame, but who is actually the one who was always meant to be 1st place in our lives.
It is when we lose our lives, that is when we find it. And we’re able to enjoy all the good things He brings us, because we see Him in them, and make him the point and fulfillment, not the things. What a blessing we get both!
Thank you for reading this. I am with you in this journey, of experiencing the fullness of life, in death and sorrow, and in the joys of life.
To God be the Glory!
Noe
In honor of my Grandfather
Matt 16:25
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it,
but whoever loses their life for me will find it.“
In surrender is our life.
