Life is a gift
"He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities."
- Psalm 103:10
Has anyone ever asked you, "How are you doing?" I want my response to be, "better than I deserve." What a perspective change, isn't it? Our culture tells us all the time how much we deserve. Nothing is a gift anymore because we justify in our heads why we deserve it. Have you ever thought about the fact that the reason you are still breathing is because God allows you to. Each day we are given here on this earth is truly a gift from God no matter how good or bad that day is. God blessed Ryan Beachy with 29 years on this earth before he was called home.
Death is a transition
"For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep..." - Acts 13:36a
God created each of us for a purpose. Our life should be us living out that purpose for the glory of God. When God says we are done, we are done. After that comes the transition. Most transitions and changes in life are met with challenges and difficulties. Whether it's a new addition to a family, a loss of someone, or an organizational or church change. We must continue on serving the purpose of the Lord in our generation that God has placed us in. Ryan did just that with a humble spirit and now the friends, family, and community must continue on keeping their eyes firming fixed on Jesus.
Eternity is unfathomable
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." - Romans 8:18
The more I read Scripture the more I start to realize I have no idea how glorious eternity will be. It is unfathomable. I can read passages like Revelation 21 and be brought to tears but that still is only a glimpse of what is to come. The sufferings in this life aren't even worth comparing to the glory that is coming for those who know and follow Jesus. What an amazing truth to understand and know. Ryan now understands the fullness of that truth. He is enjoying an eternity that is unfathomable to us.
Well written Travis, ..ok there are lots of Scripture to quote about death & the victory and we should always focus on the eternal , but bottom line is we still have to live IN but not OF the flesh , we are IN but NOT OF this world. Its a constant spiritual battle , we will only win & full appreciate the victory when called home but even for Christians death is a difficult time and grief a natural thing for those left behind to endure, but can walk through with assurance of faith.
ReplyDeleteWe should ( and let’s face it we DONT'T do it half enough ! ) appreciate every breath of life, every smile , every hug , every mouthful of food to sustain us, every sunset to see… ALL that God gives us freely on a daily basis.