We've all seen the slogan, "Life is Good". I don't know about you, but sometimes that seems like the biggest lie to slap on a t-shirt.
Friends, I write with a heavy heart. Death has shown up in my life multiple times this week. Two of the three were tragic deaths of incredible young adults who went to the same high school and college I attended. Both were way too young to be leaving this earth so early. Both had so much life to live, so many adventures to explore, so many more stories to tell, so many more hugs to give.
Although I personally wasn’t very close to either of these people, it’s been a painful wake up call. This precious life is too short. And when loved ones abruptly pass away, it’s heartbreaking, confusing, and unwanted. Sometimes it takes devastation to create pivotal moments of reflecting into the mirror of our lives.
Grief strikes like a sucker punch to the gut, completely knocking the wind out of our lungs. Sorrow swoops in as overwhelming waves, toppling over our heads as we gasp for breath. Despair drowns all clarity and joy down the drain.
“Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.” Psalm 31: 9-10
I’m learning that it’s OK to be overwhelmed with hurt and confused. It’s OK to be steaming with hot anger. It’s OK to grieve deeply and cry loudly.
You are not alone in this. We are not alone in this.
From dusk to dawn, the luminous moon and twinkling stars beam throughout the skies, illustrating the power of light. Following the darkness of night, a bright and a shining sun peaks over the mountaintop, declaring the birth of a new day. After a raging hurricane with rain and wind pounding on the window, a vibrant rainbow of magnificent colors appears to claim its victory over the storm.
I have read some of the most beautiful memoirs posted by friends and family of the young people that went to be with Jesus this week. They spoke of the purity of their dear friends’ hearts, grateful they were blessed to know them. Through the immense sadness, they still had sweet truths to share. Truths of their legacies not left behind to be forgotten. Instead, their presence has just begun a new chapter through stories retold, memories cherished, pictures hung. I can only imagine the size of the smiles on these recent angels’ faces, shining down from the Pearly Gates.
Your legacy doesn’t consist of what jean size you wear, calculate your GPA, state the number of championships you won, entail your job description, or read the balance of your bank account.
Your legacy solely consists of the memory you leave behind in how you intentionally treated people surrounding you with kindness, respect, grace, compassion.
Unlike our beloved friends and family members who may have gone to be with Jesus, we remain with the precious gift of time on Earth. Time to make amends with broken relationships. Time to be fearless in pursuing adventures of today because we will never be given that same opportunity at that moment again. Time to cherish and hug someone you love. Time to be kind to one another, without cause or motive. Time to call and say “I love you.”
When we are stuck in the darkness of past or present times, His light shines through because He is willing and able. From dust we were created, and to dust we will return (Genesis 3:19). Even as dust, the story we leave behind will remain forever. You don't have to run away from pain because Our God will use it as a strength through Him.
He gently wipes away the tear-stained eyes of the broken hearted.
He graciously lends a steady hand to the weary and heavy laden.
He efficiently mends relationships as fresh as the morning dew.
He steadily walks hand in hand with the lonely and distressed.
He eternally gives us permanent hope in a world of temporary pain.
“Oh death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)
As long as we are alive, God still has an intentional, meaningful, life-giving purpose for us to be here on this Earth. There are still good works to be done, love to be given, scriptures to be read, truths to be shared, lies to be forgiven. There are opportunities for lonely people to be consoled by the ultimate Healer, hungry people to be fed the Bread of Life, exhausted people to find rest in Him.
Every breath we take is valuable, including times where we are suffering and broken hearted.
We are able to continue living the life God has created for us because we can rest in the fact that Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place for us in eternity. This life is short, but our time with Our Creator in Heaven is never ending. Let’s make the most of it.
By looking at the cross as a reminder of our Saving Grace, instead of measuring God’s love for us by our circumstances, it allows hope to enter our hearts. In turn, this hope can be used as a tool to brighten the legacy of all tomorrow’s through living life in active, sacrificial, unconditional love.
Let us hold His hand as we walk into the future that He has perfectly prepared for us. The Holy Spirit dwells within us because we have been made alive through Christ our Lord.
“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusaistically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
~
The Prayer:
Hey Jesus,
It’s hard. Life is so hard, Lord. It’s just as simple as that. But even in the midst of all the struggles thrown into the mix of life, somehow you miraculously string together the brokenness of our hearts to create something beautiful. It’s a mysterious beauty that we may never fully understand as human beings, yet our trust resides in You.
Sorrow, grief, despair that stems from death are terribly hard pills to swallow. You know this full well from Your own suffering, Jesus. Thank you for being the perfect reminder of what Love looks like on a daily basis.
You created us out of dust, and to dust we shall return again. Everlasting Life, help us to remember that our time here on Earth is fleeting, so that we may live out our days in abundant grace. Guide us in each moment to constantly give unconditional love to anyone we encounter along our path.
Teach us to live out our legacies, so that they may gloriously reflect who You are.
In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.