“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NLT
Cause unknown. No cure.
In ten minutes, I would arrive at her house. Tears crowded my eyes. Her body, vibrant with health only six short months ago, was now floppy and useless. The last time I visited, she lay with her head in my lap while I stroked her brow, running my fingers through her hair. “I’m scared.” She raised her eyes—one of the only muscles that still worked in her body—to mine. I leaned in to listen. “Of suffocating.”
Fear pricked my heart at the words. “Cheryl, do you remember the day we sat on the floor in the bookstore, surrounded by Bibles? You wanted to choose one for yourself.” She nodded, almost imperceptibly. “Let’s read it now.”
I took the book from the coffee table and turned to the Book of John. In a choked voice, I read the divine words—the only words that could bring comfort and alleviate our quiet, aching pleas for help with an impossible situation. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” (John 14:1 NLT)
She closed her eyes. I kept reading. “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:3 NLT) I paused. “Cheryl, God is there when we take our first breath. It says here he will come and get you. He will be there when you breathe your last breath.”
Cheryl’s eyes closed. Her shallow breathing became steady. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 NLT)
We have the illusion of belonging to this world. When we live in this false perception, it is all too easy to fall prey to the fear of leaving it, even with the promise of glory just beyond.
We are called “his children” (1 John 3:1 NLT), and, as such, we know that we are greatly loved. Loved so much that the door to glory, the one we have been knocking on for so very long, will open to us. The healing of our bodies, both physically and mentally, will take place in an instant.
Entrusting our loved ones to him should be easy, but it’s not. When we have days, or hours, or moments when fear grabs hold, we can find comfort in his Word. His plan will not leave us cold and scared. Instead, his plan allows for us to pass into the warmth and beauty of his presence. We will float in his marvelous, indescribable grace, the like of which we can hardly begin to imagine.
Trust him. Grab hold of his Truth with both hands. And if, like Cheryl, your hands no longer work, grab onto it with your whole heart.
That’s what he wants from us, anyway.
Merciful Father, thank you for providing me with access to your Holy Bible. Thank you, Jesus, for your Holy Spirit. Help me to trust you more each day, until everything is made ready for me to join you in heaven.
Ponder this:
- How can we deepen our connection to God in times of trial—health, finances, relationships, or otherwise?
- How do you envision heaven? Do you think God will be with you when you pass from this life to the next?
- Has God used you to change a situation? Did the situation change, or did you?
- What is one thing you would like to do or change about yourself that will take a lot of trust? Can you take one step toward that goal today?
- Our life in Christ is a ministry and each moment is precious. How can you use your time more effectively to bring others to the LORD?