As a family we faced three deaths in a row a few years back when my dad, my uncle and my brother-in-law died within a gap of a few months each. For the first time, my kids were seeing death so closely. Our hearts were broken and pained.
But there was a common thread in all the three deaths. It was the hope to see our loved ones again.
This hope that each of us had was a great comfort that kept the family going. Was this just wishful thinking or is there a real hope beyond the grave? When I look at the Bible, I see the records of so many heroes of faith, who lived and died after their task in the world was done. All of them had a clear direction of their journey and some were even waiting for their death with eager expectation. This is not inviting martyrdom, but they were genuinely excited about the joyful existence that they had beyond the grave. This was only possible because of the certainty of their experience with God while they lived.
They knew where they were going, based on their relationship with God and His promise of “preparing a place for them”. In fact the apostle Paul, shares his hope by saying, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain”. He was looking forward to the heavenly city where he could dwell with God. The story of George in the cover story resonates that hope which comes from a deeper relationship with God that they as a family had.
I also attended the funeral of the Sairah Mattackal, where I expected all the kids to be wailing and crying. I’m in no way minimizing the pain that was there, but the husband and the children were radiating the hope of seeing their wife and mom soon to all who came. This is unimaginable for many, but the peace and the grace to face situations that God gives people when they go through deep mourning and grief is truly incomprehensible. I have also seen people who have handled grief and loss in such a disastrous manner.
Often this is because of the hopelessness that accompanies the loss. I do not know if you are reading the magazine at a time of great grief and loss but I would invite you to anchor your life on a Hope that is real. Uncertainty can cloud you because of what you have experienced, but with Christ you can be hopeful amidst uncertainty. I would call it a “Hopeful Uncertainty”.
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