Death and Homecoming are on my mind.
The anniversary of my brother’s death was a few days ago. A life-long friend died a few months ago. My mom and dad each died in the spring. Kay Arthur, the co-founder of Precept Ministries which was key in my spiritual growth, died a few days ago.
Grief. Grief. Grief.
And Yet!
And yet, my grief was Homecoming for each of them, believers in Christ.
Grief here and Joy there at the same time.
We are told not to grieve like the pagans do.
[Do] not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
Those of us grieving over the death of a believer ALSO know:
They have been glorified.
They are holy and blameless.
They are more alive than ever. Truly alive.
They are in bliss we cannot imagine.
They see Christ face-to-face.
We (believers) will see them again.
Those truths do not eliminate grief, but our grief is changed by knowing their joy and the certainty of our (believers’) Homecoming as well.
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Are you positive that your death will mean heaven? Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? Do you believe He died for your sins and was resurrected, proving He is the Son of God? If you don’t, you will die in your sins. Read Becoming a Child of God.
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Father, help us live in the hope of heaven. Help us be certain about the joy of our deceased loved-ones’ joy. Help us demonstrate to others Your truth, love, and power through our simultaneous grief and joy.
