Death

I felt like I attended an unusual amount of funerals early this fall. It was draining, and many times I found myself yelling at God. Death is a mystery that I don’t understand, and I am convinced it is simply not part of the plan. God’s plan is life. (John 10:10-11)

After two sudden deaths in our community I learned more fully what it means to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 11:15). I was challenged to join in the joyful times of laughter and worship with friends, while sharing in the tears and embracing the sorrow of the wounded.

I also was challenged by a time when a couple guys discussed life and death on a road between Jerusalem and Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35). They walked with “faces downcast” (verse 17). Similar to how I have felt at times. Christ’s journey on the road with them was an effort to convince them that “to suffer these things” was essential to “glory” (verse 26). Glory is a big word. I want to further discover the place that suffering has in our walk, as I have realized that it is essential, but I think I never realized how courageous it is to pray like Paul:

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

(Philippians 3: 10-11)

Death isn’t the end of the story. This is what spurs us on to accept sacrifices, suffering, and death readily as we step in stride with Jesus.