Hello, 2017. I’m so glad you’re here. I have a lot of hope
for you.
It seems I’m always thankful when December 31 rolls around.
Every year I celebrate New Year’s Eve by being grateful that the struggles and
challenges of the year are over and done with and that I’ve been given another
chance. This past year was no exception. The bookends of my 2016 were the death
of my mother in January and then the death of Lynne, my longtime best friend
and college roommate, at Thanksgiving. The absence of two of the most
influential women in my life made for a different kind of Christmas and changes
my outlook for the days to come. Looking back at the days in between those losses,
the activities and emotions that kept me spinning throughout were of hurricane
force. The hurt was a true reminder that I was very much alive and they were
not.
Both Mom and Lynne made it known to all those around them
that they had placed their faith in Jesus for whatever happens after death. I
have confidence that they saw His face the very minute they left this world
because of this: “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are
at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by
sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body
and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our
aim to please him” (2 Corinthians 5:6-9).
Heaven truly is a wonderful place because Jesus is there, but also
because Mom and Lynne are there too.
So, I am of good courage. I love Jesus too. Following the
leadership and example of these women, I walk by faith. I walk, but my steps may not always be
steady. Some of the paths I was forced to walk in 2016 were not what I would
have chosen and therefore, I was resentful. Angry. Hurt. I’m sure there were
days when I let it show. I probably spoke harshly to someone I loved or was
snippy to someone I didn’t even know. I
may have ignored your need because I was too wrapped up in selfishly nursing my
own wounds. I didn’t try to hide my ugliness.
Looking back, I realize how desperately I need a savior, the
Savior, to make it all right. I deserve so much worse than the beautiful life
that I have.
John’s gospel recounts the story of Jesus’ death, burial and
resurrection. He records Jesus’ first post-resurrection encounter with Mary
Magdalene. Jesus tells her not to cling to him because he hasn’t been to His
father yet.
I’m not a theologian, but to me that means Jesus didn’t
immediately go to heaven when he died. He was absent from his human body, but
not present in heaven. Where did he spend that weekend between death and
resurrection?
I believe he made the deliberate choice to go down the
deepest, darkest, debris-strewn path of my own personal sin and suffering. He
voluntarily experienced the death that all humans, regardless of their belief
in the afterlife, know is the final enemy of this world. He made it there and
back and lives to tell about it.
He did it so I won’t have to. He did it so that I can face
2017 with hope and courage even though I will be without my mother and my
friend. He did it because, “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his
mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your
faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in
him.’” Lamentations 3:22-24.
Welcome, 2017. I’m looking forward to living and telling
about it too.
This was originally posted January 8, 2017 on The Press and Statndard website
No comments:
Post a Comment