This Is Not The End

Its a hard thought to process when someone your age passes away suddenly. Whether you are close to them or just knew them in passing through parts of your life, it is a tough thing to understand. 

As I glanced around today I saw people celebrating the new life of an adoption and in the next breathe I saw people agonizing over the loss of a dear friend and daughter. 

When you are in your 20's and even 30's you don't really think about not waking up to the life you are planning and hoping for each day. Your thoughts are consumed with you daily work schedule, the next time you will enjoy time with your friends, and that summer trip you have planned to a place you've never been before. It's a life full of ambition and desire...full of love for those around you and a love of adventures and trying new things. No one would expect that the last picture you just took of that moment you wanted to remember would be a moment you would want to go back to and cherish. 

I have found myself staring off into space today trying to comprehend how someone, 27 years old, could pass away so suddenly. Why would she be taken when she was so full of life and had so much to give? After talking with a college friend she reminded me of the fact that, while she is gone, she loved the Lord. That much was evident. She loved the Lord and anyone that knew her knew she was a follower of Christ and is now with Him. 

This life I have lived for the last 29 years has been a well lived life. I sorted through some of those things today and thought... if I were to go today... would I be rejoicing with the Lord? A few years ago I don't think I could confidently say I would be in heaven. 

Thankfully God saw in me a purpose and a plan and fought to win my heart back. When the Lord fights for your heart it can be an intense battle and a battle you must fight in as well. It is not an easy road but when you finally give in to His love it is an amazing rush of forgiveness. No I did not say it was easy after you give in and it will continue to be a struggle, but when you rest in the Lord you have the confidence to live your life with purpose. 

God has many purposes for your life but the one purpose He calls us all to is to spread His love. Living a life that is a mirror of Christ and His love for us and reaching others who have not heard of His greatness. 

When people pass away we always reminisce about their lifelong accomplishments, world travels, advances in the workplace, and the memories full of laughter that we had with them...but is that enough?

I have traveled to 28 countries, landed a job that is made for me, volunteered with many organizations throughout my years, and built up a circle of friends I wouldn't trade for the world...but do I love God? Do I serve Him every day without question? Do I mirror His choices and decisions in my every day life? 

If that answer is YES then this is certainly not the end. 

This is not the end of our story and this is not the end of our lives if we choose to live in Him. 

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

John 14:1-4