How can I be sad?

Ephesians 2:4-10 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved,through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Occasionally we encounter people in our lives who make a strong statement of their faith. This kind of person is unapologetic about their belief. They are firm, resolute, and unwavering. They may put some people off with their outlook on life. Yet, they do not throw their faith up in others face. But, if you ask them what they believe, you will be given the full, honest and complete story. That's just how they are. This kind of person has fully put their faith in Jesus Christ. Their life may have been easy, or their life may have been a roller coaster ride. We may not know. If you ask, they will tell you. And regardless of the circumstance they find themselves in, their faith remains unwavering. This kind of person reads their bible frequently. If you were to look at their bible you would not see a pristine bible. Rather, you would find a bible with many passages underlined. And there will be notes in the margins. Notes lovingly marked to help remember a time when they were moved by a passage in scripture. Or it may have been in response to a sermon that captured their interest. The cause for the entry may even have been a life event that took place. In the passage they may have found comfort and reassurance of the love of God. Regardless of the reason, the marks remain. And when life on this earth comes to an end, the bible is passed on to the next generation to have, to hold and to read. The bible serves as a final testament, a lesson in faith if you will, for the family member entrusted with the care of the bible. 

I have been blessed to know a few people who match the above description. They have made a lasting impression in my life. They are human, frail in some aspects of humanity, subject to failure like most of us. And they are deeply convicted that they are sinners and would be lost were it not for the Grace of God. They stand firm in the belief that it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God. This salvation is not by works. Their life is about what they believe. You see them stepping out is faith and service to others with full a certain knowledge that serving in love, rather than serving to rack up points, is what faith is all about. These people are saints and sinners, fully aware of their condition. And they are fully reliant on God's grace. The story of this kind of person is capture in Luke 18: 9-14 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else,Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 

My friend Art Shettler passed away yesterday. His health, not his faith, failed him in the end. His simple words of yesterday to his family, the nurses and doctors say it all. "I'm going home today." Art held firm to his faith and what is shared with us in Ephesians 2:4-8 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. I will miss Art. I am looking forward to seeing him again when I too go home. How can I be sad when that is what the future holds?

PRAYER: Father, Abba, we are blessed with those You place in our lives who share their love for You and their faith in Your Son Jesus Christ so willingly. You give us these people for a time, and then You take them home. Selfishly we mourn their passing. Yet we are joyful at their return to the home that awaits when we leave this world. Help us hold onto the joy when the pain of loss seeks to overwhelm us. Let Your peace surround us and comfort our troubled hearts. This we ask in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, Amen.