Just to clarify I am not planning on stopping my Monday Musings. I don’t want my tens of followers to be concerned. I wanted to explain in this week’s musing why I have adopted “see you later” whenever I leave the presence of a loved one. I might add “love you, see you later” to my departure. That phrase “see you later” became very intentional after a dear friend passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. When my friend died the loved ones in his life had no idea they would not have a chance to see him again in this life. Because of his deep and abundant faith his family and friends cherished the hope of seeing him again in Heaven.
When I go to the memorial service for a follower of Jesus there is, of course, sadness. But every time I leave these services I am full of hope and peace that I will see them again. Paul wrote about this in his letter to the Thessalonians.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, NLT
What a difference it makes to have that hope of victory over death. Paul rejoiced in that hope with the Church at Corinth.
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Without a doubt the death of a friend or family member leaves a deep sadness and earthly emptiness. It takes time for that to heal and the truth is it never heals one hundred percent. The hope of reuniting with them in eternity is one of the greatest comforts I have found.
In the early 1970’s my three year old nephew Dean developed childhood leukemia. Our house was a halfway point between his home and Children’s Hospital so we spent a lot of days and nights together. I was incredibly close to Deanie.
I remember visiting him at Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He was not doing well but I still held out hope for healing. As I left Deanie looked at me from from his hospital bed and said, “See you later, Uncle Dave”. I got the news the within a couple of days that Deanie had gone to be with Jesus. I was devastated. Sad. Angry. Depressed. But over time those words begin to resonate.
“See you later, Uncle Dave”.
I began to find comfort and peace in those words and in that hope. I heard a wonderful testimony from a Christian woman here in Dallas. Alvanetta was the wife of a local high-school football coach named James Jones who died in 2001. Sympathizers told Alvanetta that they were sorry she had lost James. She smiled, looked at them, and said, “I didn’t lose him. I know exactly where he is.”
I cannot imagine living without that hope. That hope should affect the way I live in a profound way. We live in world consumed by fear and especially the fear of death. That is not how Jesus wants us to live. Paul summarized it beautifully while addressing the Roman Church.
If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (Romans 14:8, NLT)
God is in control. He loves me. My eternal hope in Him is secure. So I can say “see you later with great confidence” to my fellow followers of Jesus. To those who don’t share my hope in Christ I pray you will honestly examine the life and claims of Jesus. In Jesus I have found forgiveness, love, comfort, identity, and joy even in difficult circumstances. I hope you find that in your journey. I cannot describe the peace it gives me to believe it when I say “see you later”.
