February 9, 2009

Eternal life, the ultimate hope.

Bible says.....

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)

I think.....

First, please excuse me.... I don’t know if I can make any sense today but I write anyway.

I attended a funeral held at my church last week. It was the very first Christian funeral for me..... It was hopeful. They talked about eternal life, we sang, people shared their good memories with the departed lady. We celebrated her life here on the earth and rejoiced that she was with Jesus now.

We are promised to live forever in perfect body after Jesus comes back. Bible says that even though we died before Jesus’ coming, we will rise again when He comes back. Isn’t it an amazing hope? Close one’s death is unbearable for us, but if it is only short separation, our pain should decrease. And it’s not "if", it’s truth.

But yet I’m afraid of people’s death..... I just can’t stand it. I freak out by only thinking my family or friends’ departure. Is my faith weak? Do I have unstable mentality? Am I childish? But I can’t help it.

Then the funeral helped me a lot. I could say farewell to her and I saw beautiful things. It was cheerful and hopeful. I was glad that we saw her off in that manner and I was also glad that I became a Christian because my funeral would be filled with hope too.

But still people were crying. They said "We’ll see her again" then cried. Maybe because they missed her, not because they were sad. Maybe it’s nonsense to think about "why we cry", we just cry when loved one passes away even though we believe eternal life. I thought "OK, it’s OK to cry. It’s OK to grieve. God is our hope, comfort and strength to overcome sadness, not to paralyze our feelings". I didn’t really know the lady, I think I saw her a couple times at church, still I was sad. I cried too.

It was also the first time that God told me to pray for someone and didn’t answer that prayer. I don’t think I was upset or disappointed with God..... Because, thank God, He’d already taught me that I would face this situation. I know He is beyond my understanding and whatever He does is perfect. But I might be hiding my disappointment from myself because I think I shouldn’t be disapointed. I don’t know.

She passed away in spite of our prayer for her healing. But one of her friend shared that she always said "God’s timing is perfect". So she should be happy with and obedient to this timing. So why I wouldn’t be. While she was here, we believed in God’s healing and prayed. When she departs, we still believe in God’s decision and obey Him. "Don’t be upset because I’m not upset" --- I felt she was telling me so.

...........After all, I still cry but I’m giving thanks to God. Because He has promised us eternal life. Because she is not suffering now. Because I will be able to enjoy fellowship with her some day, which I wish I could in this world.

I pray.....

Father in heaven. Thank you for eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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