Through It All

As I write this I am listening to Phil Wickham performing on the Dove Awards sing "Jesus Christ our living hope..."  And today I was reminded of that living hope in a poignant and beautiful way as I attended the celebration of life service for Val, the godly husband of one of my high school friends.

I wish I'd had the opportunity to know Val better in person but I got to know him through his wife Ginny's posts when we reconnected a few years ago on Facebook.  And when Val was diagnosed with multiple myeloma Ginny started a Facebook group called "Through It All" to keep their deep prayer network up-to-date on not only Val's condition but on the progress of what they came to call their 'disease ministry' to other patients.

I have to say I hate visiting at funeral homes. I do it, of course, but I hate it. On the other hand, the older I get the more I enjoy attending homegoing services for brothers and sisters in the Lord who have gone to be with Jesus.  These precious times are reminders of the glorification that awaits each of us who has that "living hope."

This service was especially beautiful. Each person who spoke had one main goal--not to glorify Val's life but to glorify God and to give a clear gospel presentation and invitation to anyone there who needed to make that decision to trust Jesus to forgive their sins and give them assurance of a place in heaven for eternity.

The celebration was held in the same pavilion at Camp Judson where the couple were married 43 years ago.  It's been cold the past few days in Erie but this afternoon was clear, warm, and brushed with a palette of fall colors--a gift from God for sure.  So much like the October day nearly 5 years ago when we celebrated my mother's life.

"Two Hands" by Love Song and "The Wedding Song" by Paul Stookey were performed today with guitar accompaniment--just as they had been at the couple's wedding. Amazingly, the lyrics were perfect for this occasion also.

And the goal remained true through every part of this celebration--always pointing us to Jesus. There were Bibles and "Steps To Peace With God" booklets prominently displayed and we were encouraged to take them for ourselves or to share with someone who needs to know Jesus and His love.

Val and Ginny's four children are all living for Jesus and their testimony of their father's impact on their lives was both challenging and inspiring.  I continue to pray God will give me opportunities to make an impact like that.

It's impossible for me to sit through a service like this and not wonder what kind of legacy God is challenging me to leave when He calls me home.  What can I do now to share God's love and truth with people around me who need to know it?  How can I prepare now to make sure my own funeral will be a celebration that points people to Jesus in every way?

The faithfulness of God was celebrated in a huge way today. There is no doubt that through it all--the mountains and the valleys of life--God is sovereign and good.

So let me ask you the question: if you died today do you know you would be in heaven? There is no more important question and no time like now to be sure of your answer. If you're not sure, please go to peacewithgod.net to learn more...

Because nothing in life is more important than knowing that through it all you have a living hope of living in heaven for eternity.