A Year Ago Today...

March 26, 2012

On this date, at about this time, one year ago my brother and I shared our last communication on this earth. Regrettably, it was regarding the ultimately insignificant topic of an Ohio State basketball loss.

As Bobby drifted off to sleep, no doubt with some lingering disappointment and sadness regarding the early exit of what we had all considered one of our favorite Ohio State teams of all time, who could have possibly imagined just how powerfully and poignantly we could feel true and bitter disappointment.

The loss of a basketball game was suddenly relegated to its appropriate place, and we all came face to face with our mortality and the brevity of this life, in one shocking instant.

As Bobby woke to his eternal destiny, we were all left here to ponder, among many other things, how a life can be taken in such an untimely fashion? How can we begin to make any sense of it all? What are we to do with the feelings of loss and abandonment? How are we to process the anger and the confusion toward God? A God who is reported to be a God of love should not cause or allow such pain, should He?
 

Over the past year, much has been said, many tears have been shed, and countless questions remain. It is my belief that we cannot expect, nor should we even hope, to be free from the feelings that stem from such a loss. The question we should be asking should instead be; what to make of the pain?

I have accepted that emotional pain and spiritual confusion can be entirely consistent with trusting in an Eternal Goodness and an Ultimate Hope.

Our feelings do not define us; it is how we respond to them. The courageous soldier is not one who feels no fear, but the one who does his duty despite his fear. We must, therefore, use the negative feelings and pains to their intended purpose, which is to drive us away from reliance on this world for happiness and contentment, and instead to earnestly seek an eternal security that can be only found with God.

This is too weighty a topic to address in a few short words. However, the foundation of the answer can be found in looking to the One who has suffered on our behalf, to the God who was willing to humble Himself and take on the form of a human being so that He could draw us out of this world to an eternity in paradise.

“In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation (Jesus) perfect through suffering.” Hebrews 2:10

It was our sin, our rebellion, our disobedience, that brought death and pain and sorrow into the creation in the first place.

He was willing to pay the price (the bounty, the ransom) to save a people who were trapped in this sin marred world, even when they were unwilling to ask. He did this so that death did not have to be a final destiny for any of us.

We begin come to grips with the fact that life will never be “normal” again. We realize that the wound will not be truly healed and that we must, for better or worse, become accustomed to a new normal.

 I take comfort that as Bobby awoke that morning, into an eternity that I trust is with Christ, He saw the face of the One who makes all things new. He saw the One who redeems our pain and sorrow for an ultimate good.

These are the promises to all those that will come to Jesus Christ. I have been comforted by the various signs and reassurances that God has been so gracious to give regarding Bobby’s eternal destiny.

At this time, if Bobby could speak to us, I am utterly convinced that he would urge everyone to make sure that when we pass from this life to the next, that we will do so into an eternity in glory. This only comes by trusting in the sacrifice of Jesus.

Whatever passions and cares Bobby had while in this world, I can assure you that they have now faded in the light of eternity. I know that he would want all those that he loved and cared for on this earth to join him.

However, this is not a birthright. We don’t get into heaven by default. We must allow Him to be the ruler of our life and trust in Him and His saving grace. That is my prayer for all people.

"Eternity" Disciple

[Verse 1]
All that is behind me, this mess of life
Where out of nothing came a beautiful design [1 Corinthians 1:26-28]
Know that I've had but a taste of a deathless wine [Matthew 26:27-28]
So I give up the flame to the hands beside
And I'll be waiting

[Chorus]
Where the desert is covered in roses [Isaiah 35:1]
Where I can outshine the stars in a single day [1 John 2:25]
The face of God isn't hidden [Revelation 22:4]
When I wake into eternity [1 Corinthians 15:51-53]

Where the shadows are never discovered [Revelation 22:5]
Tears are nothing more than a memory [Revelation 21:4]
Death isn't alive any longer [Revelation 20:14]
When I wake into eternity

[Verse 2]
Now I know I see it in your eyes
You knew at some point that we'd have to say goodbye [Hebrews 9:27]
I looked for this moment for all my life
To be caught away in the arms of God [Philippians 1:23]
And I'll be waiting


When I awake I'll see Your face
When I awake I'll see Your face [Revelation 22:4]