The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Yesterday, I definitely got a new perspective on the cycle of life and death.
I ended up going to the funeral of a well-known pastor in the area. He was only in his late-forties, and although he had been sick for a few months, his death was still unexpected. It was quite a large funeral - I would guess it to be around 1000 people - and it ended up being quite a long one too, as person after person gave tributes about him. He was a very giving man, gave everything he had and then some, full of joy, and it was also mentioned how he had been a bit of a rascal in his younger years, but God had transformed him. And then his son gave the last tribute. And I couldn't help but shed a tear. My heart broke for this young man who is also going into ministry. But he said that his father wouldn't have wanted any tears at his funeral, because he was a man of laughter. Over and over it was emphasized how good God is, and what a day of rejoicing it was.
On the way home from the funeral, Dave received a phone call. A good friend of his needed a ride to the hospital because his wife was about to have triplets (his wife had already been in the hospital for a week or two on bed rest). Later that evening she had two girls and one boy. New life had come into the world the same day another one was being ushered out.
And then, at a bible study last night, we were told of a young lady who was new to the church whose brother committed suicide. Later I heard more of the story, and I wanted to weep. To put it simply, it's not the first tragedy the family has suffered. Tonight I had the opportunity to pray with her, but I still don't know what to say to her. I want to wrap her in my arms and tell her that God loves her, but it seems like such a pat answer, so trite, too simple. But what else do you say?
It's not right. It doesn't seem right. And yet, I think of those three little babies, and I have to remember there is still life. There is still hope. In fact, hope came into the world in the form of a baby 2000 years ago. And when He returns, there won't be any more pain or sorrow or death anymore.
The song "There Will be a Day" by Jeremy Camp has been running through my head today. It goes:
Yesterday, I definitely got a new perspective on the cycle of life and death.
I ended up going to the funeral of a well-known pastor in the area. He was only in his late-forties, and although he had been sick for a few months, his death was still unexpected. It was quite a large funeral - I would guess it to be around 1000 people - and it ended up being quite a long one too, as person after person gave tributes about him. He was a very giving man, gave everything he had and then some, full of joy, and it was also mentioned how he had been a bit of a rascal in his younger years, but God had transformed him. And then his son gave the last tribute. And I couldn't help but shed a tear. My heart broke for this young man who is also going into ministry. But he said that his father wouldn't have wanted any tears at his funeral, because he was a man of laughter. Over and over it was emphasized how good God is, and what a day of rejoicing it was.
On the way home from the funeral, Dave received a phone call. A good friend of his needed a ride to the hospital because his wife was about to have triplets (his wife had already been in the hospital for a week or two on bed rest). Later that evening she had two girls and one boy. New life had come into the world the same day another one was being ushered out.
And then, at a bible study last night, we were told of a young lady who was new to the church whose brother committed suicide. Later I heard more of the story, and I wanted to weep. To put it simply, it's not the first tragedy the family has suffered. Tonight I had the opportunity to pray with her, but I still don't know what to say to her. I want to wrap her in my arms and tell her that God loves her, but it seems like such a pat answer, so trite, too simple. But what else do you say?
It's not right. It doesn't seem right. And yet, I think of those three little babies, and I have to remember there is still life. There is still hope. In fact, hope came into the world in the form of a baby 2000 years ago. And when He returns, there won't be any more pain or sorrow or death anymore.
The song "There Will be a Day" by Jeremy Camp has been running through my head today. It goes:
I try to hold on to this wold with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth,
That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew
But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering
There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to You always
I know the journey seems so long
You feel you're walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you've walked out all alone
Troubled soul don't lose your heart
Cause joy and peace He brings
And the beauty that's in store
Outweighs the hurt of life's sting
I can't wait until that day where the very one
I've lived for always will wipe away the sorrow I've faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery
This is why this is why I sing
There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
There will be a day He will wipe away the tears
He will wipe away the tears
He will wipe away the tears
There will be a day
I don't know why this pastor died in the prime of the ministry he was involved in. I don't know why this young man took his own life. I don't understand it. But I have to trust that God is in control. And until Jesus comes again, all I can say is:
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Well written Amanda... It's tough trying to sled through the drugery of the unkown and possibly the unkownable. I appreciate the struggle to want to help and not knowing how... let me know if you figure that one out! (in regards to your specific qaundry...) I imagine faith, as you suggest is what will lead us through as we try to figure things out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. (Scott Yakimetz from RMC)
What an overwhelming day! Thanks for sharing about it. This world is certainly not the way it was meant to be at the point of creation; but we eagerly wait for the Prince of Peace to bring real 'shalom', a restoration of things to the way they're meant to be.
ReplyDeleteRom 8v18,19 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed."
Press on with endurance Amanda!
Bryce & Carolyn