Not Without Hope
November 20, 2024
Dear Faith Family,
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep, (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).
The turkey gobble ringtone alerted me that someone was calling. As I glanced down at my phone, the name of the caller blew up a smile. “Hey, what’s up?” Amazing how many thoughts can run through the mind at just the recognition of a name on caller ID. It’s almost Thanksgiving. He’s probably coming to town. Maybe we can catch lunch?! Yes please.
It only took a couple of seconds for everything to change. It wasn’t his voice that I heard on his phone. It was the voice of his sweet wife. Something was off. The tone of her voice. The way in which she spoke. That it wasn’t him.
I lost a friend yesterday. He ran his race. He finished his course. The cares of this world are no longer his. At the same time, the cares of this world seemed to gain weight. Heaviness filled my heart. I didn’t know what to do.
Standing at the entrance to Publix, do I go in? Do I walk away? What do I do? In just a couple of hours I would join our Faith family and celebrate Thanksgiving – eating, singing, sharing. How? Like where does the heaviness of my heart intersect with Thanksgiving? Sometimes superficial gratitude just doesn’t fit.
My heart needed more – more substance, more rationale, more motivation – if thanksgiving would be at all genuine. And where did my needy heart wander? To the very heart of God – His Word.
As my heart found anchor in the Word of God, a couple of helpful truths pierced the fog. The first truth: the glorious grace of God lit up the life of my friend. The persistent pursuit of an incredibly gracious God was all over his life. God brought people, loving people, into my friend’s life to set him free from the chains of his Muslim roots. Jesus invaded his life. Through the tears of loss, I am thankful. Thankful for the glorious grace of Jesus.
Second truth: the precious promises of God encompassed the life of my friend. We grieve. Yes. Without hope. No! Instead, the reunion is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord. His resurrection is real. His return is real. Our reunion is real. The hurt in my heart propels me to see beyond this life. Through the ache of separation, I am thankful. Thankful for the precious promises of Jesus.
Looking forward,
Pastor Karl