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What Matters Most

Grief and loss are times of clarity (Ecclesiastes 7:2, 4). Things that seemed so urgent or important suddenly don’t matter at all.  A struggle during times like this is to be patient with those who are caught up with the world’s normal fusses and fights. When you are watching a beloved mother slip away from you, so many things are shown to be an obvious waste of our time.

On the other hand, there are some simple things that I take away from the last few draining days that I pray God will keep near to me:

Simple promises of the gospel

I learned a lot of high-sounding theology over the years. I’m thankful for that education and for the things I’ve learned from the great minds in Christianity. However, what has mattered most in every time of loss and grief are the simple promises of the gospels contained on the pages of Holy Scripture. Never do those words hit me with such power and life as in those times. Here are some of them:

John 14:1-6

John 11:5-44 (Lazarus’ resurrection)

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

John 3:16

Psalm 23

Romans 8:28-39

Psalm 139

John 5:24

Revelation 21-22

1 Corinthians 15

As a loved one is prepared to pass from this world to the next, the sure and solid promises of the good news of Jesus Christ are alone sufficient. We remind them as they are dying, and we ourselves are reminded. God loved the world and sent Jesus. Jesus died for our sins. If we believe, we have everlasting life.

Living in the light of eternity

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21)

Right now really counts forever. Most of the funerals I’ve done in the last few years have been of life long followers of Jesus Christ whose lives were full of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. They lived simple lives of faith and love which added up to a lifetime where there was no doubt that Christ was living in them.  Their faith saved them, and their lives were full of good works.

Make it count my friend.  Make it count.

Kindness of strangers

It was uncanny. We kept meeting the kindest and most gracious people these last few days. They took a few extra moments for us in our sorrows. We learned how much the workers in the memory care unit adored Caron’s mom. A manager at Mission Barbeque took some extra time with us. A 20-year-old waiter at a steakhouse told us he would pray for us and told us that he too had lost his mother (at 15).  We had a great conversation with this young man.

Some of you were praying for us and God answered those prayers through these people.

And it’s a reminder - we don’t know what’s going on with people. A kind word, a little more patience, an extra minute here and there might bring the light and joy of Christ to someone who really needs it.

In Him,

Don

Don Ward

Senior Pastor

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