2:87 – Death Is So Permanent

#faithbites #faithjourney death

When a loved one dies, it sucks, plain and simple. While we know, in most cases, they will have eternal life with the Lord, it is hard for us still here. We miss their company, their touch, their presences, and their voice. There is a whole where they used to be.

My dad died ten years ago today. He missed the birth of my children, 6 children overall, three weddings, and so many milestones. When he passed, I was sad as he was gone, but relived that he was no longer in pain. The problem came later as he wasn’t there for me to call, wasn’t there to hold my children, and would never be there to answer another question. Physical death is so permanent. I once posted about why is death so permanent and my feed became alive with zombie stories. Nope, my dad isn’t going to be coming back as Zombie Dad. No magic or anything will make him rise out of grave, finish off the stale circus peanuts and diet caffeine Pepsi, and complain he’s cold because we buried him without a jacket in the winter. His body is gone, but I know his Soul is still alive.

Scripture

• Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – Matthew 10:28
• I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. – Revelation 1:18
• My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. – John 10::27-28

Reflection

No matter how the different branches of Christianity worship, they all believe that if you believe in the Lord and confess your sins, you shall never pass and have life everlasting. That through belief in Jesus, your body may die but the one who can destroy your soul will never have you.

I know this to be true. I also know that my father was Jewish, most of my family is Jewish, and I am the first in my father’s family to become a Christian. Knowing this always makes me wonder if I will ever see my dad again.

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, I remember being in a large prayer circle at work. Someone told me that I was going to heaven because I was one of God’s chosen people and he was going to heaven because of his believe in Jesus. I try to hold onto that, knowing that the Jewish people are God’s chosen people. While I do not know all of what God is, nor how he works, but I do know that he is a kind God. I pray that one day, I will see my father again.

Charge

While we know that through Christ we have eternal life. That doesn’t mean we should take life for granted. Hug your parents one more time. Hold you children just a bit tighter. Tell you friends how you really feel about them. Be present with all of them. For while you may see them in the next life, you never know when the last time you see them in the flesh will be.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for my father. Thank you for his love, humor, craziness, and everything that made him him. Be with us as we remember him, celebrate his life, and keep his memory alive in all of our families. Lord, help all of us to remember those who have past on and help us to cherish the moments with everyone we still have. We may not know your plan. We may no be able to comprehend everything, but we do know that through your Son, we are saved. Help us take comfort in that. In your Gracious Name, Amen.

P.S. Please give my dad a hug from us and a fresh can of Diet Caffeine Free Pepsi.