"Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take..."
It may seem strange, but there was something in these words (and music) that were comforting. It helped me feel safe, knowing that my big strong dad was right downstairs and that even when he was asleep I was in the Lord's hands. I could rest knowing I was safe.
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV)
My dad went to sleep in death years ago. I could still hear his voice singing to me, though, as I was writing the paragraphs above. I still hear his voice giving me counsel, encouragement, and, when I need it, a swift kick to get going again. My dad will always be a part of me, my family, and the ministry God has called me to fulfill. Thank you, dad.
I write these words knowing that my dad is really not dead, though. I write them knowing that he has simply moved on to the second life. You see, when my dad died, he died in Christ. That means that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, my dad has been given new life as well. If Jesus returns in my lifetime, my dad will rise first, then I will be caught up into the clouds with him, and we will be with the Lord forever. That encourages me. I look forward to enjoying my dad's friendship, and singing, once again.
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 NIV)
Knowing that there is life after this life changes this life. I'm going to say that again. Knowing that there is life after this life changes this life. Suddenly, there is more meaning and purpose in this life as we prepare for the next. Decisions we make in this life have longer lasting implications. Not only that, we are reminded that The One we will spend our next life with is here now in The Spirit to help us with this one.
I didn't give you the rest of the lyrics to the song they sang to me before bedtime:
"God bless mommy and daddy.
Fill our lives with joy.
Make this world a safer place to live,
for I'm just a little boy."
How about you? Does knowing about the next life change this life for you?
May the joy that comes from His Spirit fill your life.
No comments:
Post a Comment