"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21
These very profound words had such an impact. As our Pastor was preaching from this passage one Sunday he began to cry. He said that as he studied this passage, the realization of his mortality grabbed him. He wrestled with the fact that he really wanted to see his children grow up. He wanted to be here with his family. And yet, the scripture teaches that to die is gain.
Day by day, as we each walk the pathway we are to go, life just seems to keep going. Until we are stopped in our tracks with the loss of a loved one or friend. It is then that we start thinking of the "other side".
9 years ago, on a Sunday morning, during the middle of a raging hurricane, my BFF lost her battle with cancer and walked into the arms of Jesus. I have missed my sweet friend all these years, but on that Sunday the Pastor's message brought a sense of peace to my heart. You see, Diana was such a special friend. She walked beside me for almost 20 years, encouraging me, always with love and a smile. It is selfish of me to want her to be here, when she has gained so much more. As she reached out her hand that Sunday morning, she left behind her tired body to walk with Jesus. I can almost picture her in my minds eye, looking back at all of us and saying, "It's all right, I'm whole now."
Day by day, as we each walk the pathway we are to go, life just seems to keep going. Until we are stopped in our tracks with the loss of a loved one or friend. It is then that we start thinking of the "other side".
9 years ago, on a Sunday morning, during the middle of a raging hurricane, my BFF lost her battle with cancer and walked into the arms of Jesus. I have missed my sweet friend all these years, but on that Sunday the Pastor's message brought a sense of peace to my heart. You see, Diana was such a special friend. She walked beside me for almost 20 years, encouraging me, always with love and a smile. It is selfish of me to want her to be here, when she has gained so much more. As she reached out her hand that Sunday morning, she left behind her tired body to walk with Jesus. I can almost picture her in my minds eye, looking back at all of us and saying, "It's all right, I'm whole now."
Mark 8:35 states: “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it” (ESV).
Jesus Christ offers you the greatest freedom - in learning how to die, we learn how to live.
9 comments:
Amen! Thank you for this.
Beautiful truths to live by... Amen
So very true.... a very real reminder for me as my mother lays in the hospital 3 weeks after suffering a major stroke. The same thoughts I have wrestled with. My mom is still alive and knows me, but she cannot speak or move her right side, so the mom I knew is gone. I do long for my mom back, but know that being with Christ is so much better than I can even imagine. She's longed for that for more than 60 years since she gave her life to Christ.
Thanks for writing this.
Thank you what a lovely first post to read this morning and so very true. I'm in the same battle myself right now and although my family are wonderful only He knows my feelings. My daughter bless her heart bought me a ring a couple of weeks ago it has part of the Footsteps poem inside. She said it was to remind me He is always beside me and will carry me when the going get rough.
Bless your heart for sharing and reminding us we don't have to face the battles alone.
Peg xx
I know all about the parting and the dearly departed. Feeling we are all connected through love allows me to know that death is just one more part of life and I count it all good even when my human body twists in grief...being a human is funny business.
Hugs,
Kelly
Thank you for opening up this scripture verse for me. I have lost so many close friends to cancer and would dearly love to have them back in my life, but I know they have gone to a much better place and are whole again in Christ. God bless you.
So good that she was a believer, and you, too. Yes, I too want to see my children's goals achieved, and see my grandchildren one of these days, but, most importantly, I have chosen to walk with Jesus (as have my family members) when he calls. Your friend would appreciate being remembered, and knowing that you understand where she is.
I lost my only son a year ago this month. I have thought so many times, "why, did he have to go?" I know he was a Christian, and I know that one day, we will all be together again. If I did not have this promise of life everlasting, I don't think I could go on. That is my favorite verse. We need to all be aware that life is but a stepping stone to what awaits us "there." I look forward to that day when I will take his hand and the hand of my Lord..I love your blog, it has been a great source of joy to me. Thank you..
Thank you for these wonderful words!
Post a Comment