death

Last week I attended a funeral for a dear friend’s husband. The church was beautifully decorated for Christmas. As I sat there I couldn’t help think that it is because of the birth of Jesus that we can have hope and peace in the midst of sorrow. Our loved ones no longer with us who believed Jesus was the Son of God, that He was born, lived and died so we can have the gift of life with God forever, are celebrating and worshipping directly with the Son of God!

“What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.” John 1:4 MSG

Jesus came into existence to bring light and life. Many people believe in the moment of death “all the lights go out.” But Jesus promises the light of heaven.

Jesus said,”I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NLT

God is light, not a light. Light is a part of His essence, as is love (1 John 4:8). God is light and it is His plan that we shine forth His light. The light of God is His righteousness, goodness, holiness. To shine forth His light means to become more like Christ everyday, to know God, understand truth and live in obedience to God’s Word.

In contrast, to walk in darkness refers to all that is opposed to God. It is a life characterized by disobedience and lack of relationship with God. Darkness and light are two opposing forces trying to make claims upon us. We must decide if we are going to live in the Light or in the darkness.

Light provides energy to promote the giving and sustaining of life. Jesus gives us everlasting life.
Light guides us as we travel. Jesus guides us through our journey to our heavenly home.
Light has a way of exposing the evil that is concealed. Jesus is goodness itself.
Light warms and comforts us. Jesus welcomes us and calms us.
Light dispels darkness. Jesus pierces the darkness of sin and death and conquers them.

If I choose to walk in the Light I must humbly trust Jesus to reveal the light through me. It is God who puts when and where I find myself on my journey. This rang true at the recent funeral I attended. My friend shared during her husband’s service how it was through the invitation of my husband to go on a mission trip together to Russia to do dentistry that her husband developed a love for missions. Pictures flashed on the screen of both of our husband’s in their Russian hats in front of St. Peter’s Basilica and them doing dentistry on some Russians. Pictures continued of subsequent mission trips this man took followed by him and his wife starting an African medical mission working with local African doctors and dentists. All because my husband invited this man on a mission trip. We never know our influence. Only God can measure the significance of our influence and visibility. I may influence one person who will then influence the world! My focus should be on following the Light, Jesus, wherever He leads.

On a recent walk, as I came near our beach, this was my view:

It was such a statement to me: Will you choose to follow me and walk in the light?

I pray you will choose to follow the Light of the World. May you be reminded this holiday season that the little baby whose birth we celebrate came so we can live in the light and not in darkness. He loves you, has delivered you from the darkness, and wants what is best for you. Walk as children of the Light!

On the journey,
Trish

PS Yes, I know it has been since May that I last posted but I hope to be back on a more regular posting!

I helped Karsten move this past weekend from his apartment in the suburbs to the Albany Park area in Chicago. He will be increasing his commute to work but gaining a roommate to share expenses. I rented a U-Haul truck to hold all his worldly possessions for the move. Kids his age seem to be excited about living in a big city.

I don't parallel park but had no choice in Chicago. I did have success, although part of the truck ended up over the curb! — I really dislike parallel parking. But I had no choice Saturday. I finally did have success, although part of the truck ended up over the curb! And yes, that is snow you see!

Karsten's new home on the top floor of the brownstone. — Karsten’s new home on the top floor of the brownstone.

I like to visit the city, but don’t think I would care to live there long term. I would have to parallel park every day. No thanks! The three months that Neal and I lived near the University of Chicago after his stem cell transplant I didn’t parallel park once. I would drive and drive until something else opened up. Our apartment had a small parking lot. If I didn’t get a spot in there I would watch to see when one opened up and run to get our car to park it there! It was fun to live there for a short time and experience the city life but I was glad to get back to Bridgman. ?

Driving home I thought about all the places I have lived over my life time. Because of my dad’s job I moved nine times growing up. I don’t remember the work of it but I am sure my parents do! After Neal and I were married we lived in married housing at The University of Michigan while he was in dental school. I remember the masses of cock roaches scattering as we opened the door to our apartment in married housing at night and flipped on the lights. Or sitting down to eat dinner and a cock roach decided he also wanted some of the dinner on my plate! It was also during those years that our twins were born. Many memories.

Where ever we live here on earth, that is not our permanent home. Those of us that are followers of Jesus are looking forward to a home yet to come (Hebrews 13:14). We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control (Phillippians 3:20-21). That is the exciting end of the Easter story.

Corbin helped me make bunny rolls our of crescent rolls for breakfast. He put on the eyes and teeth.

We had fruit pizza for dessert, masterpiece by Britton!

Hard boiled hens! — Hard boiled hens for part of dinner!

When sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, God had a plan to restore his people. He sent Jesus as a little baby to be born, live and die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Many humans killed Jesus on the cross with evil intentions, but God intended it for good. Jesus’ death would save many lives for eternity. Jesus has delivered us from the penalty of sin. He delivers us now from the power of sin. One day he will deliver us from the presence of sin. Christ will come again to defeat Satan for good. God will set up a new heaven and new earth. His home will be among his people. He will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things will be gone forever. God will make everything new (Revelation 21). Hallelujah! No more moving vans, no parallel parking, no cock roaches, no stem cell transplants…

Are you ready for Christ’s return? Are you looking forward to it with enthusiasm like my grandkids were excited about looking for the Easter eggs?

Lane and Corbin going through there loot.

My grankids were so excited to see what was inside the plastic eggs (candy of course). What is awaiting us in eternity will be far more exciting! There is no need to fear our time with Jesus forever if you have placed your faith in God. It’s as easy as ABC. Admit you have sinned, done wrong things. Believe that Jesus is who he says he is and will do what he says he will. And Commit your life to him, to live according to his ways.

You could say that Jesus lost the battle (on the cross) to win the war (against sin and death). “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty–the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” Revelation 4:8b

Thank you Lord that my citizenship is in heaven. This world is not my permanent home, I’m just passing through. I am looking forward to my home that is yet to come. How about you?

On the journey,

Trish

Tag: death

The Light of the World

Easter 2016