Life... On Both Sides...

Still reflecting on Thursday's funeral yesterday, I couldn't shake one profound thought shared during the eulogy. It's not that their weren't other moments... it was a good service. It was a hard funeral, simply because of the unknown cause and the unexpected loss; not that funerals are ever easy.

(forgive me... I'm having writer's block on trying to explain that funerals aren't something you normally critique, yet you can't help acknowledge that there are funeral services that aren't so "great" as far as how they are done, then others are incredibly powerful and moving... and it seems there no other way to say it than to that). So... it was hard. A life celebrated, while not knowing why we were celebrating so early. The unrest was and is, and will be for a while longer, unnerving.

So, with all that out of my head... here's the comfort in the one line from the Pastor's thought has gripped my mind regarding the God of the Universe.

He is:

"God. Creator of life. On both sides of death."

Think about that for a moment. Or two. Or three.

[moment]

[moment]

[moment]

God... in His sovereignty, in His love, in His grand plan of redemption; created Life on this Earth. Created us to have a relationship with Him while on this Earth. Created life eternal, for when our life on Earth had ended. Created opportunity where we experience that eternal life with Him and have relationship with Him in Heaven.

There is a plan for your life while you are above the ground.
There is a plan for your life after you body is below the surface.

Is that not utterly incredible? Why should the world be satisfied just to be breathing air and standing upright, when God intends for us to have abundant life... and eternal after that? Abundant life isn't one overly-stuffed with possessions and riches and the greatest car collection I could every imagine. But a fulfilled life. A content life. With what matters. Faith. Family. Friends. Purpose. An invitation to walk with God, through the person of Jesus Christ.  A testimony to share with those in your circle of influence, that they may know an invitation exists with their name on it, just as it did for you, the believer. An invitation to live life together, on both sides of eternity and celebrate Almighty God; Creator of life... on both sides of death.

Pray, as the church engages the world, on this #communitySaturday, that invitations will be extended to those who need to hear there is more to this life than breathing air, consuming possessions and earning paychecks. Pray for the church, itself, struggling to experience abundant life... may we cast our cares upon Him who cares for us, anew and afresh. In the face of what we don't understand; in light of loss that is difficult to process; in light of circumstances beyond understanding and reason. Pray for a renewed focus on Christ; to seek His face; to keep an eternal perspective on situations and frustrations that we don't understand; to resist the temptation to lose control; go our own way and allow for bitterness and resentment to take residence in the seat of our heart once reserved for Christ. May we not trade the eternal for the temporal, but rather, trade our rags for His righteousness.

Abundant life on Earth.
Eternal life in Heaven.
For the glory of God.
For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

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