Today would have been my 39th wedding anniversary with Pastor Paul Giesbrecht . Our marriage ended on October 17, 2009 as he was promoted to heaven through his tragic motorcycle accident.
For those who’ve lost loved ones, whether it be an accident, murder, suicide or anticipated (as in cancer or other terminal illness) I understand. It’s so hard to accept Gods will when it hurts so bad. It’s hard to make sense of our suffering when we are in the middle of it. We can only find answers in our faith in God and relying on His promises found in His Word strengthens our trust and renews our hope. No pat answers, just sheer truth. Truth is a healer.
Isaiah 57:1&2says, “The righteous perish and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men (and women) are taken away and no one understands that the righteous or taken away to be spared from evil. They who walk up rightly enter into peace they find rest as they lie in death.”
As you trust God to move ahead without your loved one, I’m so encouraged by
1 Thessalonians 4::13-17 “Brothers and sisters we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep or to grieve like the rest of men who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lords a word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not perceive those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the Archangel in the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that we were still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
Until then, your pain and suffering matters.
Our choice to share what God has done for us can help others as we choose to shine our light in the worlds darkness. It’s Gods compassion that leads others to repentance. His desire is so every tribe, tongue, and nation, all may know Jesus is Lord and God is worthy to be praised.
Isaiah 60:1-3 reminds us to “Arise and shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”
I look forward to seeing you there!
