What should we do? How should we think? What should we feel? These are the questions going through many of our minds as we mourn the sudden loss of a dear brother. Here are some thoughts to help us through:
We should acknowledge that God gives and takes life. I cannot explain it, nor do I know how God works out all of His purposes in this fallen world. Accidents are a part of the sinful world we live in, and yet God is still behind it. Do we not sing of this truth so often – “You give and take away, Blessed be Your name.” We must sing this song with tears in our eyes as we trust our Father. Think of Job, who is the only one of his friends and family to get his theology of God right. Despite all that happens to him, he attributes it all to God (Job 2:10; 42:11) and God agrees.
When death and sickness are placed right in front of our face, they tend to reveal our priorities. Death is not ultimate and has not won the battle. It would be far worse for us all to question God’s goodness – to curse Him for not intervening. Eternity in hell, separated from Christ is far worse.
What does it mean that God will “work everything for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28)? This is a frequently quoted verse when tragic events come our way. But one caution – the good He will do is on His terms and not ours. Romans 8 is imbedded in a chapter about suffering. In Paul’s mind, it is not that God would relieve him of pain. Instead, the good He would do is refine faith and strengthen hope. That is why he writes that no matter what happens, nothing will separate us from God’s love-not even tragedy. Is 2 Corinthians 1:9 not even truer for us now? “We felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.”
What is Satan’s role? While God looks to strengthen our faith and trust, Satan is out to destroy it. He is not some imaginary figure that we can joke about. He knows he lost his battle at the cross, and so attempts to destroy the work of God. Do not believe the lie that God is unjust or that He must not care.
We have a good God who always does the right thing. I do not claim to have the answers to life’s tough questions, but I don’t hold the universe in the palm of my hand either. God, through Christ, is the only place we can turn to in this time. Where else could we go?
Pray for faithfulness. Pray for healthy mourning. I cannot help but remember Jesus crying at the news Lazarus had died. Why did He cry when He knew He was going to bring Him back? There is something about death (especially so abruptly) that shakes us to the core. We should shed tears and shed our sometimes Scandinavian stodginess – emotions are a wonderful expression of God’s imprint on our life.
There will be plenty of things we will be able to do in the future for Shirley and family. For now, sit on your hands and bend your knee to God in prayer. You will accomplish more in prayer right now – your gifts of service are for later.
Thinking of all of you. Praying for faithfulness. And by the way, Lonnie Sr. is fine and no longer needs our prayers. In His presence their is fullness of joy. If heaven has farms, Lonnie will soon be on a tractor.
Pastor Darren
My Father-in-Law, Lonnie Johnson
