It Was Time

After months of not writing, I bring you this: A post laid on my heart with a need to be written.

I have been reminded, yet again, of the fleetingness of life. Everyone always says that life happens in a blink of an eye.

But what if a life stops mid blink? In that moment where the eyes are closed in the instance before they re-open? What happens when the long 80+ year long life that is expected is cut short, before goodbyes could be said. How do we deal with that loss? What does pain like that even mean?

There are so many emotions people deal with in the loss of a loved one, listing them doesn’t encompass the magnitude of their weight and the list is never the same for anyone. Therefore, I won’t even try to list them because I am unable too.

Instead, I am going to share my belief as to the question we are ultimately supposed to come to as we search for comfort for our loss. Hear me, when I say that this question is going to be difficult, but the answer will bring a great peace. Furthermore, the process that it takes to get to the point of being able to ask this question will be different for every person. However, I want you read it now. Whether you are in a time of loss, in a situation where loss seems inevitable, or in a time of joy; if you see it now it will be in your mind, there for you to draw on when needed.

How can this human moment be used to show God’s glory?

This is a loaded question. It encompasses both the life lost and the lives left behind that are to be continued.

• The life lost will have a legacy that lives on and the legacy is that of the persons own making.
• The lives of those who loved and were loved by that life, now have the ability to decide what the next piece of their legacy will be.

So, what is supposed to be done to make it possible for a human moment to be used to show God’s glory?

Live a life that leaves a legacy that points to Jesus and not yourself.

By doing this you will have lived every moment to the fullest. Living life to the fullest does not mean doing things YOLO style. It means that the moment that God reveals our purpose in life in Him that we heed the call. We serve him in the good and the bad, because it is what we were designed to do and what our hearts earnestly yearn for. By living a life that is constantly pointing to Jesus our frailty ceases to exist and the strength of God consumes.

This doesn’t mean that we are not allowed to ask questions and cry out to Jesus for answers. Jesus wants us to have a relationship with him. This means having communication through praying, reading the Bible, and even listening for that still small voice in the silence and the babble. Therefore, in the moment of loss turning to Jesus is only choice. The answers we seek are in Him and He is drawing us up to show His glory in the loss.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. -Ecclesiastes 3:4

It can be hard to understand why someone would put the ideas of weeping, laughing, mourning and dancing in one phrase. It could have something to do with the fact that they are opposites and therefore the pairing is poetic. But, I think it has everything to do with the fact that they can sometimes happen at the same time. While sitting in those pews the final goodbyes are being said and the stories are being told. They are the stories that bring forth a belly tightening laugh during a downpour of tears. We mourn the loss, but dance in the delight of the life lived. The point is to allow yourself to feel everything and give it all to God. He understands it all and the moment you give it to him he will sort everything for you and grant you peace.

We never know when our time on earth is done.  Therefore, we must life our lives for Jesus and create a legacy that points to him. Our doing this will give the loved ones still living an example of what it means to make choices to glorify God. Thus, leading them to the path of Jesus even in the loss. Granting them the ability to make the choice of what the next piece of their legacy will be.

It is then, “It was time.” is no longer painful, for it is known God’s timing is so perfect it obliterates understanding but allows the opportunity for increased faith.