Last Monday, which was the first Monday of the year, I wrote a challenge for all of us to be positive. Although so many varied pressures from 2020 stayed around to greet us in 2021, I suggested that our hope in Christ still compels us to be positive people.
Little did I know what kind of week we would have.
Did anyone notice the assault by a couple hundred people on the US Capital? Totally crazy in our lifetime. Last time that happened was after the War of 1812. I didn’t sign up for that.
Did anyone hear about Big Tech censoring thousands of people including the President of the United States? I certainly did not predict that one week ago. That has never happened. I didn’t sign up for that.
Then much closer to home for me.
One week ago this morning the medical doctor told my friend there was nothing else he could do. This set off a series of events where my friend died on Thursday.
Thursday we received news that my two friends’ dad got sick preparing for work. He went to the emergency room. In a series of hardly explainable events, he died on Saturday.
Another 30-year friend of mine has been in the hospital with COVID since before the new year. Yesterday, his family surrounded him as he died.
One week ago as I write these things, none of the three of these mostly healthy people thought they would not be living just seven days later. None of them. Neither did any of their families. I didn’t sign up for that.
All of Them Are Now in Eternity
Seven days, three loved souls.
One week made an eternal difference in each one of their lives.
Just as you are reading this now, just last Monday all three of them could have read this as well.
Just as you are breathing right now, just last Monday all three of them were breathing as well.
Do you see the incredible significance of this? Talk about life throwing you a curve!?
We Should Expect This
The reality is though that although we did not sign up for this kind of week, it should not have come as a total surprise. Well, maybe. I certainly did not know that the three of them would be in eternity just days from the start of last week; however, I did know to expect death. I just didn’t know when to expect it.
The Bible tells us our fate:
27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, (Heb 9:27)
Every one of us face a date with death. We do not know when for ourselves nor do we for anyone else. We die. Then we face the judgment of God pertaining to our relationship with God through Christ. The text continues:
28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. (Heb 9:28)
What great news! Christ died to bear the payment for their sins. They had each asked God for forgiveness of sins while they could so that upon death and judgment, Jesus could declare them forgiven.
Although we are heartbroken that all of these individual people died, we are equally grateful that all of them had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Each of them had asked God to forgive them of their sins and they were prepared for eternity.
So on this Monday, heartbroken and wondering what is next, I rejoice that I am prepared for eternity and I know God’s grace enables me to face the pressures of today as well.
What about you?
I didn’t sign up for last week, but I’m grateful God made preparations for days like that providing both eternal and daily help by His grace. Only God knows what we should expect this week. Gratefully, He’s made provisions for that as well.
Image Credit Sajith Ranatunga
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together