Death is a part of our story. It always has been. There is nothing we can do to avoid it, and why would we? It is our eternal reward!
But for those of us left to finish our journey on Earth, death is painful. It leaves a hole that won't be filled until we reach Heaven's gates. God meets us at the point of our need - in our emptiness, pain, grief - and gives us supernatural peace, hope, and comfort. But our humanity goes on, and our love for other humans continues, even when their earthly bodies have passed. This ache, this longing points us to Heaven. The fulfillment that comes from earthly accomplishments fades. Perspective shifts.
In this season of loss, our family's perspective has shifted. We see the "big picture" a little more clearly. As we've experienced the death of a loved one, a change of direction has occurred. The realities of Heaven have become clearer, and life on this earth becomes incredibly temporary. As this shift occurs, you begin to understand the realities of Heaven, as well as God's deep desire to meet our needs while we're still here on Earth.
God has truly been in every detail of the last two months of our journey. His timing has been impeccable, His comfort and peace tangible, and the answers to our prayers perfect and complete. I have never been so sure of His power and presence, on Earth and in Heaven, at any other time in my life.
Although we didn't see a physical healing in my father-in-law's body, we have experienced healing in many other areas. God gave me the word "HEALING" when we were waiting, praying, and interacting in the hospital room.
HEALING: the process of the restoration of health from an unbalanced, diseased or unvitalized organism. With physical damage or disease suffered by an organism, healing involves the repair of living tissue(s), organs and the biological system as a whole and resumption of normal functioning. (Wikipedia)
When we live in an unhealthy existence, whether it's relational, physical, emotional, mental or spiritual, damage occurs. If healing and restoration don't occur, death in that area follows. God can and will restore, but we have to be in a place of acceptance and reception of this powerful process. And it IS a process. It takes submission, humility, intentionality and discipline to see the need for change. The restoration process makes our lives healthier and more enjoyable. It allows God to use us in the way He originally intended.
God's given us strengths, talents, and gifts that are meant to draw people to Him and bring Him glory. This is the heavenly perspective - the ability to understand and follow through with God's plans and purposes for our lives. His power is always available, but it functions in it's greatest form when we live in obedience. This allows us to live our lives in the way He intended.
Goodbyes are more difficult than words can express. There's an emptiness that we experience everyday. But our faith and hope sustain us, and bring the ability to continue to laugh, love and live with greater focus than ever before.
Comments