ARE YOU READY?

ARE YOU READY? This week I have been reminded how precious and fragile life is. That seems so obvious but we too often live in a way that does not proclaim that truth. I know that I am not the only one, but much of the time, I live in a way that says I am indestructible. I see the pain that others are feeling and I think to myself “that can’t happen to me.” But that is really far from the truth. There is an old statement that I remember hearing a lot growing up. When I would think that I am indestructible, I would hear someone say, “There, but by the grace of God, go I.” On Monday, I saw this play out. In one moment Mark Nienow was arriving home from vacation, in the next he was headed to the hospital, and just like that, Mark was with our Savior. Like many of you, I was in utter shock when I got the news. Why do things like this happen? Why does God take a godly righteous man away so early in his life? Why? Why? Why? …Why not? The Bible does not promise us a specific number of years to live on earth or a life without pain. It does promise us a life filled with joy. At first that seems like a contradiction. How can a life filled with pain still possess joy? Happiness is determined by my circumstances, but joy is determined by my position in Christ. What does the Bible say about this topic? All flesh is like grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass, the grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:6-8 Isaiah elaborated on how transitory humanity is: here today, gone tomorrow. People pass away like plants under the hot breath of a withering wind. In 1 Peter 1:24-25, Peter uses this passage to illustrate the passing nature of everything related to humanity. In those verses, Peter is not only pointing out the temporary nature of our earthly lives; but he is also pointing us to the eternal nature of the Christian’s life. All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord stands forever. And this is the Word that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:24-25 So what is the Word that Peter and Isaiah refer to? It is the good news of Jesus Christ. That good news is the difference-maker. It is what exchanges our painful experiences for joy. The good news is Jesus Christ. For those of us, like Mark, who have accepted the forgiveness of our Savior, we have a promise of joy everlasting. We may have to endure pain while on this earth but one day (and maybe soon) we will see Jesus face to face. “He will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 21:4) Are You Ready? Aaron Hodges