As I write this, we are early into a new year. As I look back at the month of December, I realize that it was a time of both great joy and great sorrow.
We had several wonderful visits with family members, some of whom we may only see once or twice a year. We heard that our nephew and his wife would be welcoming a new baby in the coming months. At the same time, we heard that the father of one of our nieces was suffering from cancer. We also attended three funerals/celebrations of life. We were living out what the apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Rome:
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12: 15)
As we received Christmas cards this year, I noticed that that two of my cousins (one on my Dad’s side and one on my Mom’s) both expressed interest in getting together in the new year. I share the desire to get together with family that lives a good deal away. Having lost both of my parents, getting together with family is something that is more and more important to me. Perhaps it is for you as well.
The funerals and celebration of life involved people ages 37, 60 and 92. Regardless of the reasons for their deaths, their loss has left a huge hole in the hearts of their loved ones. Death hurts. It stings.
One of the funerals we attended was for a dear aunt, who was the last of my aunts and uncles on my Mom’s side, a sobering thought. My aunt will be remembered for her great cooking and making everyone feel welcome. I love the memories of the card games they all played together, the room filled with cigarette smoke. Most of the men had served in WWII. Shortly after one celebration of life, the mother of a good friend, we heard that there would soon be the blessing of another grandchild. Life out of death. Sorrow and joy.
The Christian life is not a life without sorrow or suffering. Jesus was the suffering servant from Isaiah chapter 53. Our lives, like my December, is a mix of joy and sorrow. But one day, for the believer, there will be no more sorrow or suffering, and death will no longer sting:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
(1 Corinthians 15:55)
In one of my favorite passages, the apostle John tells us about the New Jerusalem:
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4)
So, Christian be encouraged with this from the apostle Paul:
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
The amazing thing is that God can bring joy and purpose out of suffering and sorrow:
All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; The Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV/The Message)
